Ship equipped with foldable solar panel sails

The Captain Arctic cruise ship has five large sails 35m high, covered with 2,000m2 ^of solar panels to help exploit clean energy.

French company Selar introduced the Captain Arctic cruise ship with retractable solar-paneled sails that allow the ship to harness and use both wind and solar power, Design Boom reported on November 7. When neither source can be harnessed during the voyage, the ship's two propellers can generate energy and function as hydroelectric turbines.

Captain Arctic with 5 sails covered with solar panels. (Photo: Design Boom).

On the outside, Captain Arctic has five 35m-high sails. They are made of aluminum, which helps them withstand harsh weather conditions, and are covered with 2,000m2 ^of solar panels. Thanks to these energy sources, the ship is expected to have significantly reduced, or even zero, carbon emissions.

The 70-meter-long Selar cruise ship can accommodate 36 passengers and 24 crew members. It travels at a relatively low speed and aims to emit 90 percent fewer emissions than most boats in the region. This is thanks in part to specialized onboard systems such as an organic food waste processor and a treatment tank that turns dirty water into drinking water. Captain Arctic also has an onboard water production system that automatically produces fresh water for passengers, using reverse osmosis.

As its name suggests, Captain Arctic will take passengers on expeditions to the Arctic regions, specifically Norway, Svalbard, and Greenland. While cruising around these regions, the ship's interior can keep passengers and crew warm, from natural light streaming through bedroom window blinds to solar-powered showers in the bathrooms. When it gets too cold, the ship will use recycled wood pellets to heat the interior.

The amenities on board are also very comprehensive. There is a gym and sauna for passengers to use at any time of the day. They can also participate in many other activities such as navigating through the sea ice with the captain, practicing yoga, fishing with the chef, cold water diving, whale watching, and even watching the northern lights if the time is right. The dining area resembles an old-fashioned diner with reclining chairs and elegant colors.

Each expedition lasts 7-13 days. Selar is now open for bookings for trips starting in November 2026.