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A NUCLEAR-powered ship full of scientists, activists and billionaires, sailing the world and checking the state of the oceans. That’s the dream of entrepreneur Aaron Olivera, who believes this new ship will help raise environmental awareness.
The ship, called the Earth 300, was designed by superyacht specialist Ivan Salas Jefferson. With a length of nearly 300 meters and a height of 60 meters, it will be able to accommodate 425 people. Most of them are staff, scientists and students, who travel free of charge.
A number of wealthy tourists, housed in luxury suites, will each pay US$3 million or IDR45 billion (exchange rate IDR15,000) for the 10-day trip. Olivera wants Earth 300 to become a global architectural icon that encourages people to think more seriously about climate. The modernist design, clean lines, cantilevered observation deck and 13-story glass ‘science room’ are meant to spark awe.
“We want to inspire anyone who sees it to save the planet. Imagine if we could build an object that would excite people all over the planet,” said Aaron Olivera as quoted from Bloomberg.
Beyond that plan, there is still a long way to go for realizing the superyacht. It took six years and US$5 million to get to this point, where the designs could be taken to a shipyard to work on construction.
Olivera said the group was considering shipyards in Europe and South Korea. Earth 300 executives estimate the total costs will be between US$500 million and US$700 million. The highest costs for zero-emission atomic power generation from UK-based Core Power, which develops ship-borne molten salt reactors, a technology led by Bill Gates’ US nuclear company TerraPower.
With the ship slated for launch in 2025 and certification for the reactor taking another five to seven years, the ship is likely to run initially on synthetic green fuel. Atomic propulsion can also create problems with countries like New Zealand, which has banned nuclear-powered ships from docking since 1984.
“I want the ship’s first voyage to circle Antarctica, followed by an Arctic voyage. The ship will be designed to operate for 300 days a year, generating about US$100 million from wealthy tourists, with additional income from hosting shows or film sets,” Olivera noted.
Those who pay for the 10 luxury suites with private balconies will also get accommodation for private staff in separate cabins. Another ten suites will be available to what Olivera calls “Very Interesting People” people from all walks of life who will bring unique experiences or knowledge along the way.
Olivera envisions inviting artists, explorers and students to spend time on ships, mingling with billionaires, but paying lower fees or even traveling for free. Together with them, working in 22 laboratories, will be some 160 scientists, who will conduct research and collect data using ship equipment and thousands of built-in sensors, including what could be the first commercial quantum computer to sail in the oceans.
Olivera said the project would be “open source”, with information and processing facilities being shared with other climate research efforts around the world. [sources/photo special]
