The International Council on Clean Transportation just released its latest white paper on potential of using Hydrogen Fuel Cells and Wind-Assisted Propulsion on three ships: a 57,000 deadweight tonne (dwt) coastal dry bulk carrier sailing in China, a 69,000 dwt ore and coal carrier sailing the North American Great Lakes, and a 7,570 dwt cement carrier in northern Europe.  This study investigates the potential of both liquid and compressed hydrogen fuel cells to replace fossil fuels for bulk carriers, including when paired with wind-assisted propulsion in the form of rotor sails.  Read here for full article.

Posted on - 2022-01-16

A team of scientists have released an intriguing study on harnessing OTE in the Pacific n the Journal of Geosciences.  Hyeon-Ju Kim, Ho-Seung Lee,  Seung-Taek Lim and Michael Petterson have authored "The Suitability of the Pacific Islands for Harnessing Ocean Thermal Energy and the Feasibility of OTEC Plants for Onshore or Offshore Processing"

..."An engineering principle, termed Rankine cycle power generation, can use the thermal gradient to generate power. Whilst at the moment OTEC is not a large-scale commercial reality, a number of organizations are developing small-scale OTEC plants, both land and sea-based, with the vision that, one day, the plants will become large enough to attract commercial interest..."  Read here

Posted on - 2021-12-16

This Study by UNESCAP explores the key areas around which regional platforms can rally interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral solutions for the ocean. It highlights the lack of data and statistics on the ocean, the growing demand for moving towards inclusive and green maritime shipping, deteriorating fish stocks and gaps in fisheries management and the mounting pressure of marine plastic pollution.  The theme study calls for enhanced sharing of ocean data and stronger investment in national statistical systems for collecting and harmonizing ocean data. It underscores the need for enforcing international conventions, norms and standards in relation to maritime shipping, sustainable fisheries and marine pollution. Finally, it proposes strengthening regional platforms such as the Asia-Pacific Day for the Ocean as avenues for building partnerships, facilitating knowledge and data-sharing and supporting the implementation and monitoring of global agreements.  Read here.

Posted on - 2021-12-15