***List of Solutions:
1) Hydrogen as fuel (Rotterdam pushing for it). Storage of hydrogen offshore
2) Idea: Fully electric vessel powered by solar power ONLY
Case Study: Penguin’s electric fleet called Electric Dream
2nd Case study: Porrima
Porrima is entirely powered by solar energy, fueled in large part by its wing-like structures that absorb rays and convert them into energy. Photo: Courtesy of Porrima
If the constant release of new iPhones indicate anything, it’s that people crave to have the next best thing. After all, we’re a forward-thinking species. One Belgian entrepreneur and economist, though, is focused on something perhaps more important: The present. Gunter Pauli’s new venture—a solar-powered, 118-foot-long, 79-foot-wide ship dubbed Porrima—may not be the quick solution to environmental events, but it’s certainly helping. More importantly, it’s offering a legitimate response to climate change that could very well change the world.
Ships used for trade—not the ones Russian billionaires keep as toys or the cruises that traverse the Caribbean—generate more carbon dioxide than aviation annually. What’s more, they disrupt marine-based ecosystems and contribute to acidification. “Ocean transport emits more carbon than all planes combined. Porrima has proven that we can power ships with hydrogen from seawater, solar power panels, and more,” Pauli explains over an email exchange. “Actually, we generate so much energy that we have too much, allowing us to help the ocean by way of air bubbles.” The air bubbles Pauli’s referencing are the ones used in specialized nets to prevent overfishing. These unique nets can separate fish by weight, and they release the heavier reproductive females. Another fascinating feature of the ship is that there’s a miniature farm that can cultivate edible algae and mushrooms.
4)Wind Energy producing hydrogen to power the ship
Singapore, 20th April 2021 – Bureau Veritas (BV), a world leader in testing, inspection, and certification (TIC), has certified and classed Singapore’s first hybrid-powered ship. Built, owned and operated by Singapore-based Penguin Shipyard International, a subsidiary of Penguin International Limited (“Penguin”), Penguin Tenaga is a 15-meter, 12-passenger aluminum pilot boat capable of entirely running in electric mode at 5 knots for more than 30 minutes, and in conventional diesel mode can reach a maximum speed of 24 knots.
The vessel design is based on the same hullform as two of Penguin’s existing monohull pilot boats that are currently operating for Shell Eastern Petroleum in Singapore.
Penguin Tenaga is classed under BV with the notation Electric Hybrid and Zero Emission (“ZE”) mode. This notation provides operational and environmental benefits. It helps to ensure the systems operate safely and efficiently, as well as reduce fuel consumption, local air emissions and noise when in proximity to centers of population. BV assisted Penguin by providing guidance on the BV rules and advice to Sea Forrest Power Solutions Pte Ltd (a subsidiary of BH Global Corporation Limited) towards certification of the equipment on board, such as the hybrid electric propulsion systems installed on the vessel.
In addition, solar panels installed on the roof of "Penguin Tenaga" provide electrical energy that is used to recharge mobile devices on board and supplement the vessel's "hotel load".
Singapore, one of the world’s largest and busiest ports, has pledged to reduce greenhouse emissions by 36% by 2030, when compared to 2005 levels.
This shipbuilding project is an important step towards Singapore’s environmentally sustainable future and meeting its own green targets.
In a bid to reduce emissions, Singapore is taking a lead in developing hybrid-electric propulsion technology for offshore support and harbor vessels. Currently, there are limited applications for pure electric vessels in Singapore due to the lack of charging infrastructure. However, this could change in coming years as the country electrifies its maritime eco-system to meet the IMO sustainability targets as well as its own sustainability goals. BV has also created a comprehensive guidelines and rules to help the ship owners and builders move towards sustainability powered vessels.
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DAVID BARROW
Vice-President South Asia and Pacific
Bureau Veritas M&O
This Sleek New Solar-Powered Ship Is a Game Changer in Fighting Climate Change
If the constant release of new iPhones indicate anything, it’s that people crave to have the next best thing. After all, we’re a forward-thinking species. One Belgian entrepreneur and economist, though, is focused on something perhaps more important: The present. Gunter Pauli’s new venture—a solar-powered, 118-foot-long, 79-foot-wide ship dubbed Porrima—may not be the quick solution to environmental events, but it’s certainly helping. More importantly, it’s offering a legitimate response to climate change that could very well change the world.
Ships used for trade—not the ones Russian billionaires keep as toys or the cruises that traverse the Caribbean—generate more carbon dioxide than aviation annually. What’s more, they disrupt marine-based ecosystems and contribute to acidification. “Ocean transport emits more carbon than all planes combined. Porrima has proven that we can power ships with hydrogen from seawater, solar power panels, and more,” Pauli explains over an email exchange. “Actually, we generate so much energy that we have too much, allowing us to help the ocean by way of air bubbles.” The air bubbles Pauli’s referencing are the ones used in specialized nets to prevent overfishing. These unique nets can separate fish by weight, and they release the heavier reproductive females. Another fascinating feature of the ship is that there’s a miniature farm that can cultivate edible algae and mushrooms.
Porrima is sailing across the world, starting in Osaka, Japan. The plan is that by 2024, the vessel will arrive on the west coast of the United States.
Photo: Courtesy of Porrima
Porrima’s plan is to revolutionize the shipping industry in an extremely meaningful way. Until recently, Porrima was just nothing more than an optimistic nod toward the future, but as of December 18, 2021, it’s become a reality. The ship left from Osaka, Japan, and is planning on docking on five continents, including North America. In fact, it will make a pit stop on the United States’ West Coast in 2024. Pauli claims, “The ship will change the logic of fishing and time chartering boats.”
The design of the ship was inspired by Swiss Army knives, Russian matryoshka dolls, and Japanese origami.
Photo: Courtesy of Porrima
Sustainability aside, Porrima is simply sleek in design, with interiors that rival some of the world’s most luxurious cruises but much smaller in scale. Although cruise ships can have several thousand cabins, Porrima has two primary ones—the VIP suite and the main hall. Both cabins were influenced by an unassuming mix of Russian matryoshka dolls, Japanese origami, and Swiss Army knives.
Even though the inspiration behind the design is a little unexpected, all of it comes into play quite clearly. The stackable dolls, for instance, are evident when it comes to Porrima’s storage situation: All of the storage containers can slide into and out of each other, saving space throughout the vessel. The ship’s collection of shelving units, all highly intricate, reflects the delicacy and attention to detail of origami. And as for the Swiss Army knife, that one is a little trickier. Like the utility of the Swiss Army knife, the boat’s main hall can serve a multitude of functions, including a classroom, exhibition, library, or even dining space.
Building ecologically conscious alternatives is one step into the right direction. It is safe to say that the Porrima is quite literally on its way to changing the trajectory of sustainable travel.