All articles tagged with #sustainable shipping
A century after its initial demonstration, Flettner rotor technology, which uses spinning towers to harness wind for propulsion, is gaining popularity in the maritime industry, with at least 35 ships now using the technology to reduce fuel costs and emissions, driven by modern needs for decarbonization and advancements in materials and AI.
A cargo ship named Pyxis Ocean, chartered by Cargill, has embarked on its maiden voyage equipped with two WindWings, large steel sails designed to harness wind power and reduce emissions. The wings are expected to generate up to 30% emissions savings, with even higher savings possible when combined with alternative fuels. The shipping industry, responsible for nearly 3% of global emissions, aims to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. Wind-assisted propulsion technologies, such as WindWings, offer a retrofit solution to reduce carbon emissions of existing vessels. Cargill's involvement could influence wider adoption of wind propulsion, and the performance of the wings will be monitored for further improvements.
Hurtigruten Norway plans to launch a zero-emissions electric cruise ship with retractable sails covered in solar panels in 2030. The ship will run off 60 MW batteries charged with clean energy and will have a range of 300 to 350 nautical miles. The sails will be covered in 1,500 sqm of solar panels that will generate energy to top up the batteries while sailing. The ship will have 270 cabins to hold 500 guests and 99 crew, and guests will be invited to minimize their own climate impact through an interactive mobile app. Hurtigruten Norway hopes to gradually transform its entire fleet to zero-emission vessels.