GoodCleanTech, 15 May 2009
Japanese shipping line Nippon Yusen KK (NYK) made headlines during the third quarter of 2008 for announcing the company's investment in the development of a solar-powered cargo ship. The significance of the announcement lies in the fact that NYK was planning on using solar energy to partly power the propulsion engines of the ship, not just cabins and on-board amenities as other similar aquatic vehicles usually do.Details were scarce at that point in time, but now NYK revealed a list of details about the ship that's to be named the NYK Super Eco Ship 2030. These details come replete with a small-scale prototype model that looks like it could be fodder for science fiction. The ship will measure 353 meters in length, and will be powered by a combination of 40 megawatts of fuel cell, 1 to 2 megawatts of solar energy and 1 to 3 megawatts of wind energy. Furthermore, measures to reduce fuel use such as decreasing the hull's weight will be incorporated into the design. According to NYK, the Super Eco Ship 2030 is expected to exhibit a 69 percent reduction in carbon dioxide emissions per container once it becomes operational in 2030.
