Revolutionizing Marine Shipping (Part 1)

Marine Shipping is undergoing a major transformation as it seeks to decarbonize. Will wind power be part of the solution?

While marine shipping is the most efficient way to transport goods worldwide, it is still considered to be a large contributor of greenhouse gases (GHGs). So, achieving the ambitious goal of reducing GHG emissions from ships to less than 50% of 2008 levels by 2050 is going to be a challenge.

In order to stay ahead of climate targets, the industry is introducing energy-saving strategies such as reducing speed, low friction coatings for hulls, and aerodynamic hull designs. Other innovations include exploring and implementing more ambitious carbon-cutting technologies and new low- and non-carbon energy sources such as hydrogen.

One alternative power source under consideration is the wind. Virtually limitless, the wind is synonymous with the history of shipping and is seen as an important supplement to other energy sources.

Preliminary investigations of the fuel consumption and GHG reduction benefits to be gained by adding sails to existing cargo and passenger ships varies from 1% to 47% depending on the number of sails, and the speed and direction of the wind.1 According to the International Windship Association, a not-for-profit organization of international companies focused on the benefits of direct wind propulsion both as an auxiliary and potential alternative power, purpose-built wind-assisted ships would have a 50% average reduction in fuel consumption and GHG emissions, and some designs could even be 100% powered by the wind. A study by the UK government in its 2019 Clean Maritime Plan estimated that the global market for wind propulsion systems could be worth $3.5 billion worldwide by 2050.

Wind and wind-assisted power systems use several different methods, all of which are at various stages of development and implementation. Many of these systems can be retrofitted on existing ships. This article provides an overview of the six different wind applications, some of which are still at the concept stage, and how they are used.

With such rapid progressions & advancements in the ever-changing field of technological innovations, Westline Shipping has introduced several revolutionary changes in maritime shipping, which also envelope the faculty of Careers in Merchant Navy,

adhered to many new introductions in training for Merchant Navy!