{"id":80378,"date":"2023-07-18T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-07-18T04:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.futuribles.com\/the-shipping-industry-are-sails-the-key-to-decarbonising\/"},"modified":"2024-10-31T11:27:09","modified_gmt":"2024-10-31T10:27:09","slug":"la-marine-marchande-toutes-voiles-dehors","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.futuribles.com\/en\/la-marine-marchande-toutes-voiles-dehors\/","title":{"rendered":"The Shipping Industry: Are Sails the Key to Decarbonising?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The world\u2019s shipping industry is responsible for just under 3% of global CO2<\/sub> emissions, which is equivalent to the total emissions produced by Germany. According to projections by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), this share of global emissions could increase by between 50% and 250% by 2050, depending on which scenario is used<\/a> for modelling.[1]<\/a><\/sup><\/h6>\n\n\n\n

The IMO is seeking to reduce the production of local pollutants. Since 2020, the sulphur content of marine fuels has been limited to 0.50%, compared with 3.50% previously. However, the shipping sector still accounts for 15% of global emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx<\/sub>), even though low-emission zones have been set up. In fact, the global shipping fleet remains dependent on heavy fuel oils, derived from refinery by-products, to power ships\u2019 diesel engines (which also emit local pollutants, both nitrogen oxides and sulphur dioxide).<\/p>\n\n\n<\/div>\n

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The shipping industry is seeking to decarbonise its operations as quickly as possible, in response to several forms of pressure: the urgent need to respond to climate change, the will of governments who have subscribed to the 2015 Paris agreements, and the demands of public opinion, which is becoming increasingly critical about the effects of globalisation. Indeed, the industry\u2019s very existence is at stake. The IMO, which had set itself the target of reducing CO2 emissions by 50% by 2050, strengthened this target at the beginning of July 2023 so that it now faces the more challenging goal of achieving net-zero emissions by this same date. It is possible to make immediate gains by reducing the speed of ships, optimising their routes, and using existing navigation techniques, but these measures are far from sufficient to meet the new objectives. There is an increasing number of projects aimed at producing decarbonised maritime fuels \u2014 biofuels, hydrogen, methanol, and ammonia \u2014 from green energy sources, but it will take a long time for these to become operational on an industrial scale.<\/p>\n

Could wind power be a viable way of rapidly contributing to the decarbonisation of shipping? According to the findings of current projects, equipping ships with wind propulsion systems could reduce the fuel consumption of the main engines by 5% to 25%, which is far from negligible. The gains are even greater for new ships that incorporate this auxiliary mode of propulsion right from the design stage.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n

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\n Voir aussi<\/span>\n
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\n \n \"\"<\/a>\n <\/span>\n \n Antoine Fr\u00e9mont – Le transport maritime au risque de la d\u00e9mondialisation ?<\/a>\n \n \n <\/use>\n<\/svg>\n <\/a>\n <\/span>\n
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19 November 2021<\/div>\n FR\u00c9MONT Antoine<\/a>\n
\n 34 min. \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n
\n \n \n <\/use>\n<\/svg>\n\n Interview vid\u00e9o\n <\/a>\n \u00c9conomie<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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The French company Z\u00e9phyr & Bor\u00e9e is a forerunner in this field. In partnership with ArianeGroup, it has designed the ro-ro vessel Canop\u00e9e<\/em><\/a>, with the immediate function of transporting the launcher for the Ariane 6<\/em> rocket to French Guiana. According to the company, the ship\u2019s four sails, installed in summer 2023, should provide between 15% and 40% of its propulsion, depending on the desired speed and the season. The fundamental advantage of wind propulsion is that it can be adapted to existing ships, which could accelerate the decarbonisation of the world fleet. The IMO has also introduced indicators to rate ships according to their energy performance, not only for ships under construction but also for the existing fleet.[2]<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n<\/div>\n

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It is clear that shipping is becoming an innovative industrial sector. Both start-ups and shipyards are developing technological innovations, which are now attracting the interest of a number of large, well-known shipowners. In the future, as these projects acquire more experience and feedback, they could gradually move from the prototype stage to industrialisation.<\/p>\n

There are two main technologies used for this purpose: sails and rotors. For sails, one of the techniques is to attach kites (like those used for kite surfing or paragliding) to ships. The larger the kite, or traction wing, the greater the pulling force. In 2021, Louis-Dreyfus Armateurs installed a \u201cSeawing\u201d traction wing on the Ville de Bordeaux, the ro-ro vessel that transports the components of the Ariane rocket to French Guiana.<\/p>\n

Another technique involves rigging ships directly with either rigid or inflatable sails. In October 2022, the Japanese shipowner Mitsui OSK Line took delivery of the bulk carrier Shofu Maru, fitted with rigid \u201cWind Challenger\u201d sails, and decided to order the construction of a second vessel. According to the shipowner, the sails provide a reduction in CO2 emissions of 8% on a trip from Japan to the west coast of the United States (although the ship is used to transport coal between Australia, Indonesia, and the United States, which is hardly environmentally friendly!). The inflatable sail technique is being developed by Michelin\u2019s subsidiary Wisamo. It will be installed from 2024 on a ferry sailing between Spain and England. Meanwhile, Chantiers de l\u2019Atlantique has developed the SolidSail, which is designed to equip future ocean liners.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n

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\n Voir aussi<\/span>\n
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\n \n \"\"<\/a>\n <\/span>\n \n Which Technologies for Decarbonizing Transport?<\/a>\n \n \n \n <\/use>\n<\/svg>\n <\/a>\n <\/span>\n
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27 February 2023<\/div>\n SAUVANT Alain<\/a>\n AUVERLOT Dominique<\/a>\n
\n 20 p.\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n
\n \n \n <\/use>\n<\/svg>\n\n Journal Article\n <\/a>\n Environment<\/a>\n Science and Technology<\/a>\n Society<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Computer programmes and extensive use of data enable these different types of sail to be controlled fully automatically from the bridge of the ship, both to deploy and retract them. This method of control also makes it possible to optimise their performance, while responding to the characteristics of the wind. These sails are often directly derived from advances made in ocean racing. It is therefore hardly surprising that well-known skippers are involved in their design, and that France is a pioneer in the sector. An industrial cluster focused on these technologies is emerging in the Nantes-Saint-Nazaire region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The other main technology is the use of rotors<\/strong>. This technology has been around for almost 100 years. In 1924, Anton Flettner experimented with his invention on the Buckau<\/em>. These Flettner rotors are rotating cylinders placed on the ship. When the wind blows sideways through these rotors, they generate a propulsive force, following the principle of the Magnus effect.[3]<\/a><\/sup> Captain Cousteau used the same principle on his experimental vessel Alcyone <\/em>with turbosails.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rotors are a relatively simple technology, which is easy to implement. Various companies offer modernised versions, including Norsepower (Finland), Anemoi (UK), and EcoFlettner (Germany). The rotors are installed on the deck of the ship. Bulk carriers (transporting unpackaged goods such as coal, grain etc.) are well suited to these rotors because they do not hinder handling operations, whereas this can be more difficult for container ships. As with sails, they supplement the ship\u2019s main propulsion from traditional engines. They are controlled automatically by computer systems, and can tilt to allow the ship to pass under a bridge. Among several possible examples, in autumn 2022 the Chinese shipbuilder Cosco Shipping Heavy Industry, part of the Cosco Shipping conglomerate, signed a partnership agreement with Anemoi to fit new ships with the company\u2018s rotors, as well as retrofitting existing ships<\/a>. Cosco has announced a potential reduction in fuel consumption of up to 30%.<\/p>\n\n\n<\/div>\n

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According to the specialist maritime information website Lloyd\u2019s List, by 2022 eight ships worldwide were equipped with auxiliary propulsion systems using rotors or sails. By the end of 2023, a further 24 ships will be added to the list. Wind-based propulsion is therefore still in its infancy. The earliest ships to be equipped with this technology will be used to gather data and feedback.<\/p>\n

According to the Secretary General of the International Windship Association, attitudes also need to change: \u201cI think the ship finance world is very conservative and very fuel centric. […]. But we need to be looking at energy, not fuel\u201d. In the competitive and internationalised world of shipping, the market should set the tempo for the future spread of wind-based marine propulsion. Whereas changes to international regulations are long and difficult to implement, shipowners will be immediately motivated by fuel savings, especially given the high prices of current heavy fuel oils or future low-carbon fuels. Provided that further technological progress is made and the technology comes to be industrialised, this type of propulsion can deliver these fuel savings. Wind propulsion therefore undoubtedly has a bright future ahead of it, although this does not mean the return of the traditional sailing ship!<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n

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\n Voir aussi<\/span>\n
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\n \n \"\"<\/a>\n <\/span>\n \n Maritime Transport: the Threat of De-Globalization?<\/a>\n \n \n <\/use>\n<\/svg>\n <\/a>\n <\/span>\n
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26 October 2021<\/div>\n FR\u00c9MONT Antoine<\/a>\n
\n 24 p.\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n
\n \n \n <\/use>\n<\/svg>\n\n Article Revue\n <\/a>\n Economics<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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  1. \n

    See <\/em>Forss<\/span> Mikko and Pakkanen<\/span> Pekka, \u201cThree Maritime Transition Scenarios: Uncertainty Is Inescapable, but We Can Still Make Good Decisions Today<\/a>\u201d, NAPA, 14 July 2022; H\u00fcffmeier Johannes and Mathias Johanson, \u201cState-of-the-art Methods to Improve Energy Efficiency of Ships<\/a>\u201d, Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, vol. 9, no. 4, April 2021. \u2191<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  2. \n

    Energy Efficiency Design Index <\/em>(EEDI) and Energy Efficiency Existing Ship <\/em>(EEES). \u2191<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  3. \n

    Magnus effect: an aerodynamic phenomenon that explains the force of deflection experienced by a rotating object moving in a fluid. When the Magnus effect is applied to cylinders, it can be used as a means of lift or propulsion. \u2191<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    The world\u2019s shipping industry is responsible for just under 3% of global CO2 emissions, which is equivalent to the total emissions produced by Germany. According to projections by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), this share of global emissions could increase by between 50% and 250% by 2050, depending on which scenario is used for modelling.[1] … Continued<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":25,"featured_media":76912,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","_seopress_robots_follow":"","_seopress_robots_imageindex":"","_seopress_robots_snippet":"","_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"none","_seopress_robots_breadcrumbs":"","_seopress_robots_freeze_modified_date":"","_seopress_robots_custom_modified_date":"","_seopress_robots_canonical":"","_seopress_social_fb_title":"","_seopress_social_fb_desc":"","_seopress_social_fb_img":"","_seopress_social_fb_img_attachment_id":0,"_seopress_social_fb_img_width":0,"_seopress_social_fb_img_height":0,"_seopress_social_twitter_title":"","_seopress_social_twitter_desc":"","_seopress_social_twitter_img":"","_seopress_social_twitter_img_attachment_id":0,"_seopress_social_twitter_img_width":0,"_seopress_social_twitter_img_height":0,"_seopress_redirections_value":"","_seopress_redirections_enabled":"","_seopress_redirections_enabled_regex":"","_seopress_redirections_logged_status":"both","_seopress_redirections_param":"","_seopress_redirections_type":301,"_seopress_analysis_target_kw":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[140],"tags":[202,210],"keyword":[],"class_list":["post-80378","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-newswatch","tag-environnement-en","tag-science-et-technique-en"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.futuribles.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/80378","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.futuribles.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.futuribles.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.futuribles.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/25"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.futuribles.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=80378"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.futuribles.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/80378\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":99168,"href":"https:\/\/www.futuribles.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/80378\/revisions\/99168"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.futuribles.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/76912"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.futuribles.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=80378"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.futuribles.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=80378"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.futuribles.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=80378"},{"taxonomy":"keyword","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.futuribles.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/keyword?post=80378"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}