ULSTEIN THOR: Awarded Concept Vessel Design of the Year
On 20 June 2023, at the Electric & Hybrid Marine Expo Europe in Amsterdam, ULSTEIN THOR was announced as the winner of the Concept Vessel Design of the Year Award.
ULSTEIN THOR – The future of zero-emission maritime power
In 2022, Ulstein launched the design concept 'ULSTEIN THOR', a thorium-powered replenishment, research, and rescue vessel that enables sustainable operations worldwide. Zero-emission operation goes beyond choosing the right alternative fuel; we need to rethink the entire infrastructure for maritime operations.
ULSTEIN THOR: Awarded Concept Vessel Design of the Year
On 20 June 2023, at the Electric & Hybrid Marine Expo Europe in Amsterdam, ULSTEIN THOR was announced as the winner of the Concept Vessel Design of the Year Award.
Decarbonising deep-sea shipping remains one of the industry’s toughest challenges.
ULSTEIN THOR delivers clean, continuous power through thorium molten salt reactor technology, enabling zero-emission operations for battery-driven vessels.
ULSTEIN THOR: pioneering sustainable maritime operations
'ULSTEIN THOR', a 149m 3R (Replenishment, Research and Rescue) design which will feature a Thorium Molten Salt Reactor (MSR) to generate vast amounts of clean, safe electricity. This enables the vessel to operate as a mobile power/charging station. At the time of its launch, we presented the idea as a way to charge an all-electric cruise ship concept, demonstrating its commercial viability. However, its potential was seen to stretch far beyond that. Thor can either be used to recharge all-electric ships, or integrated MSRs can be housed within vessels as the primary power source.
Key features & benefits
- Unlimited range
- Powered by a thorium molten salt reactor (MSR), ULSTEIN THOR delivers continuous clean energy, removing the need for refuelling and enabling extended zero-emission operations.
- Mobile charging hub
- The vessel functions as a floating power station, capable of charging up to four all-electric ships simultaneously through high-capacity battery banks.
- Enhanced stability
- Zero-speed stabiliser fins maintain operational efficiency and comfort during stationary charging or research activities in challenging sea conditions.
- Advanced research capability
- Equipped with wet and dry laboratories, a moonpool, and underwater survey systems, THOR supports complex oceanographic and environmental studies.
- Autonomous operations
- Cable transfer drones and autonomous surface vehicles enable safe and efficient charging and replenishment without manual intervention.
- Vtol and helideck access
- Integrated VTOL drone systems and a helideck with hangars provide rapid personnel transfer and emergency response capability.
- Complete replenishment
- Dedicated boom systems allow delivery of provisions, fresh water, spare parts, and rescue vessels to support extended missions.
- Fire safety assurance
- An external FiFi system ensures robust firefighting capability for high-risk maritime environments.
- Energy efficiency
- Green technologies and optimised systems reduce environmental impact and operational costs across all mission profiles.
- Proven design innovation
- Built on ULSTEIN X-BOW® and X-STERN® hull forms, THOR offers superior seakeeping and reduced energy consumption.
Main characteristics
- Length overall: 149 m
- Breadth: 25 m
- Depth to main deck: 8.0 m
- Draught, max/ design: 5.3 m
- Speed max. approx.: 20 knots
- Installed power, MSR: 16000 ekw
- Propulsion Power :12000 Kw
- Manoeuvring and propulsion system: 2 x Azimuth aft | 2x Bow thruster | 1 x Retractable azimuthing unit
- Accommodation, POB: 60 persons
- Operational area: Worldwide, including Arctic and Antarctic waters
Case study
Our idea for ULSTEIN THOR was developed to solve a significant problem within the expedition cruise industry. Expedition cruise ships operate in increasingly remote and environmentally fragile areas. At the same time, the industry faces growing pressure from diverse stakeholders to preserve nature and minimise the environmental impact of cruising. THOR replenishes energy and supplies on site, while also boasting technology to facilitate rescue operations and conduct research. It is, in effect, a crucial piece of infrastructure to support sustainable and safer operations. Explore our case study to discover how 'THOR' is capable of revolutionising the expedition cruise industry.
Applications
Learn more about various use cases for ULSTEIN THOR.
ULSTEIN SIF – full electric cruise vessel
ULSTEIN SIF embodies our vision for sustainable expedition cruising with its full-electric design. To support this mission, ULSTEIN THOR serves as a mobile power station, originally designed for Antarctic expeditions, providing clean energy to recharge vessels like SIF. Together, they pave the way for emissions-free travel in challenging waters.
ULSTEIN THOR for Ocean Harvesting
In 2023, ULSTEIN launched the ULSTEIN THOR for Ocean Harvesting, inspired by the replenishment, research, and rescue vessel concept design ULSTEIN THOR which was released the previous year. ULSTEIN THOR for Ocean Harvesting is 180-meter-long vessel powered by thorium and functions as a biomass factory, floating power station and research lab.
Stories about ULSTEIN THOR
Ship design concept from Ulstein can solve the zero emission challenge
Ulstein has launched 'ULSTEIN THOR', a 149m 3R (Replenishment, Research and Rescue) design which will feature a Thorium Molten Salt Reactor (MSR) to generate vast amounts of clean, safe electricity. This enables the vessel to operate as a mobile power/charging station for a new breed of battery driven cruise ships.
Thorium-powered: ULSTEIN THOR zero-emission ship concept sparks major interest
Since unveiling the Thorium-powered ULSTEIN THOR design in April 2022, we have been swept by a wave of interest in the concept vessel and its unparalleled potential and capabilities. Set in a polar cruise context, ULSTEIN THOR alone could generate over 50 GWh of energy in a single 150-day cruise campaign. The result would be a significant environmental impact in Antarctica, with over 32,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions prevented.
Is Thor’s superpower shipping’s silver bullet?
Ulstein’s announcement of a Thorium-powered ship created massive interest in the market. As shipbuilders and designers, we are looking to take this concept from the drawing board to the deep blue sea. Is this the solution that industry, and society, have been searching for to enable a truly sustainable maritime future?
Let’s talk. We’re here to help.
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Øyvind Gjerde Kamsvåg
- Description
- Chief Designer
- Affiliation
- Ulstein International AS