Revolutionizing Shipping: Innovative Solutions Emerge in Response to Climate Challenge

Shipping Goes Back To The Future – With Sails

The concept of sailing has long been synonymous with leisurely voyages and nostalgic adventures. However, in a bold move to reduce carbon emissions, the shipping industry is taking a significant step backwards – or rather, forwards – by reintroducing sails to its vessels.

In an innovative twist, Hurtigruten, a polar exploration company, is building a cruise ship designed for the Arctic that will be powered by five 35-meter-high aluminum retractable wing sails. These wind-powered contraptions have the potential to significantly reduce fuel consumption and lower greenhouse gas emissions in the shipping industry.

According to John Cooper, CEO of BAR Technologies, which collaborated on the project with Cargill, the Pyxis Ocean achieved an impressive reduction in fuel savings during its maiden voyage. In ideal sailing conditions, the vessel managed to save a staggering 11 tonnes per day, highlighting the enormous potential wind power has in combating climate change.

This development is particularly timely, as the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has adopted a strategy to reduce carbon emissions from the shipping industry by at least 40% by 2030. A significant portion of this reduction will come from the adoption of zero or near-zero emission technologies. The IMO aims for these alternative energy sources to account for 10% of the energy used in international shipping by the end of the decade.

As a leading player in the logistics industry, Maersk is also taking steps towards reducing its environmental footprint. The Danish shipping company has already transitioned one of its large container ships, Laura Maersk, to run entirely on green methanol since 2023. Additionally, it has ordered eight larger carbon-neutral vessels that will utilize the same technology from Hyundai Heavy Industries and is set to receive 20 dual-fuel vessels equipped with methanol and liquefied gas propulsion systems by 2030.

Maersk estimates that using lower-emission methanol can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 65% compared to traditional fossil fuels, contingent upon the production process of the feedstock. However, it’s essential to note that the carbon savings depend on how this alternative fuel is produced, mirroring the situation with biofuels.

Other innovations are also gaining traction in the industry. Advances in design have led to the creation of more hydrodynamic hulls, specialized coatings to reduce water friction, and air lubrication systems, which create a layer of bubbles to decrease drag and fuel consumption. Furthermore, the IMO predicts that all new ships built from 2025 onwards will be at least 30% more energy-efficient than their predecessors due to improvements in existing machinery and the incorporation of smart technology.

In this era of climate urgency, the shipping industry is acknowledging the need for a drastic shift towards cleaner technologies. The reintroduction of sails may not be a novel concept, but it’s certainly an innovative approach to tackling emissions.

Source: http://www.forbes.com