We now know the international shipping industry is responsible for 18% of some air pollutants. Moreover the International Maritime Organization blames giant ships for 2.2% of global emissions caused by humans. These could rise by as much as 250% if we do nothing. Therefore, we welcome it when the shipping industry buckles under pressure to take action.
Electric Battery Boom as Shipping Industry Buckles
Four Japanese maritime companies have agreed to work together in that direction. They plan to have the world’s first zero emission tanker in the water and working by mid-2021. However the ship will only sail in Tokyo Bay to enable the ‘large capacity batteries’ to recharge between trips.
The project is a joint venture between Mitsubishi Corporation, Asahi Tanker Company, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Limited, and Exeno Yamamizu Corporation. Shipping is under attack from a raft of legislation to clean up its carbon act. Its first challenge will be to burn lower-sulfur fuel. However, by 2050 it will have to halve its emissions. Hopefully, we will see the end of bunker fuel as the shipping industry buckles down to join the green movement.
Momentum is Gathering But Progress is Slow
Despite a slow start there is evidence momentum is growing. Britain’s Rolls-Royce started offering battery-powered ship engines in 2018. Moreover, Norway’s Kongsberg Gruppen is developing an electric container vessel according to Bloomberg. However there are significant challenges when attempting something similar far out to sea.
Shipping has enjoyed the unfettered freedom of the waves for too long, environmentalists say. They are challenging its right to discharge ballast water that introduces alien species, causes oil spills, and dumps waste water. International regulations have struggled to keep up with developments that occur in unregulated space.
There are some excellent shipping companies doing their best. We look forward to the day irresponsible owners and ship captains face the music. However we will have to wait until the shipping industry finally buckles under international pressure to take batteries seriously.
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Preview Image: A Matter of Scale and Imagination
