New technology helps the shipping industry reduce greenhouse gas emissions

Combining wind energy and biofuel will be the best way for the shipping industry to soon achieve the goal of neutralizing emissions.

The wind-powered cargo ship Pyxis Ocean is equipped with a special structure that resembles two large and sturdy sails, called “WindWings”, and is expected to arrive at the Polish port of Gdynia early next week. The two WindWings “sails” are up to 37.5 m high, using wind energy to move the ship, contributing to reducing CO2 emissions.

WindWings is the result of cooperation between global private corporation Cargill, Mitsubishi Corporation, Bar Technologies and Yara Marine Technologies. According to Mr. Jan Dieleman, President of Cargill Ocean shipping company and the charterer of the Pyxis Ocean, the fuel consumption of this 6-year-old ship decreased by about 20% during the journey thanks to WindWings. However, WindWings are not suitable for all types of ships, such as large container ships, because there is no installation space on the ship.

Cargill believes that combining wind energy and biofuels will be the best way for the shipping industry to soon achieve the goal of neutralizing emissions. Biofuels cost 3-4 times more than fossil fuels, so adding wind energy will shorten the payback period to 2-3 years instead of 10 years as before. This perspective will encourage shipowners to choose this combined option to bring financial benefits and less risk.

Cargill has ordered five cargo ships powered by methanol. Of which, the first one is placed in 2022, before putting WindWings into sea trials. After evaluating the performance of this device, Cargill hopes to cooperate in building additional WindWings ships according to their design in the near future.

According to Moitruongvadothi.vn