Page 21 - Next Generation 2015 - Digtial Issue

Next Generation Technology

Polman, Richard Branson and many Given the pressures on global use of fossil fuels, the shipping sector has begun to explore how
others are pointing to the risks of not to harness wind (Photo: IWSA)
transitioning to renewable, clean fuels.
How wind, and indeed other No-one is advocating commercial
There’s a seismic shift on land renewables, will work within the ships use foils but as in the tech
in how business is responding to the modern interconnected fleet is where transfer from Formula 1 to our road
mega risks of finite fossil fuels and the challenges lie. cars, so it could be in shipping.
CO2 emissions. Energy self-sufficiency
is the goal. It’s a mistake to think that The IWSA is about state-of-
exploring the use of wind is a the-art technologies propelling the
In shipping, there’s still a strong backwards step; the International shipping industry into the new era of
belief that as ‘the most efficient mode Wind-Ship Association represents a infrastructure innovation.
of transport’, there is little need to wide range of innovative options for
adapt for an uncertain future, but what different ship types. Envisaging self-sufficient ships
we’re seeing elsewhere casts doubt on powered by renewable energy — of
that sentiment. There are whole ship solutions which there is an abundance at sea
where improved energy efficiency — and stored in batteries for use on
Shipping may be well placed, but enables 100% renewable power; demand changes the whole business
we don’t know, and can’t control, how retro-fit devices that offer shorter- model. Fuel is free and innovation is
the world around us will change and term meaningful fuel savings like king.
how that will impact shipping’s role in flettner rotors; and wingsails so visibly
a new global system. deployed on America’s Cup yachts Diane Gilpin is a founder member of the
sailing faster than the wind. newly formed International Wind-Ship
Shipping is under increasing Association
pressure to play its part in sharing
the responsibility for global emission
reduction and further CO2 regulations
are becoming more likely.

We saw the recent move from third-
largest flag-state, the Marshall Islands,
whose population is at serious risk
from the impacts of climate change,
call upon IMO to take meaningful
action on reducing carbon. The EU
threatens to take unilateral action
forcing measurement, reporting and
verification of emissions as a first step.

Smart, then, to be prepared
ahead of compliance. At sea, there
is an abundance of freely available
renewable energy — any seafarer will
tell you there is wind at sea.

Given the pressures on global
use of fossil fuels, the shipping sector
has — albeit somewhat tentatively —
begun to explore how to harness it. It’s
particularly apt, since global trade was
built by sailing ships.

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