All-Solar Vessel: "Ambassador for Clean Energy"
The world’s largest all-solar ship has been circumnavigating the globe since 2010. In May 2012, the vessel completed a 584-day, 37,000-mile global journey through three oceans and 11 seas with 52 stopovers in 28 countries. But most impressively, the vessel did it all without consuming any fuel. Now on its second world tour, Switzerland’s MS Tûranor PlanetSolar is docked in New York’s Battery Park City Ferry Terminal where Maritime Reporter was given an opportunity to climb aboard the sun-powered vessel at a press event on Tuesday, June 18.
Solar Powered Wavepiercer Cat
On March 31, 2010 the roof at the HDW Shipyard in Kiel, Germany slid open to reveal to the daylight the what is claimed to be the world’s largest solar powered vessel, a wavepiercer catamaran named Planet Solar. Appearing small against the back drop of the giant crane hoisting her to the water and the enormous ship building halls she was assembled in, the 101.7 ft long, 52.5 ft wide carbon fiber craft was launched a few hours later into the Kiel fjord, floating to her lines and looking more like a misplaced space ship than an ocean going yacht.
DP-08 Reaches Stage Two
Diverse Projects' Build Project 08 was recently transported overland from its construction facility at Profab Engineering in Palmerston North, to Napier. It was one of New Zealand’s largest ever over land yacht movements. Diverse Projects took on the challenge in keeping with their virtual shipyard approach, moving projects between facilities to achieve best outcomes overall in both quality and value, an approach similar to that of larger European yards. Tranzcarr Heavy Haulage moved the vessel over three nights, beginning Oct. 18.
Diverse Projects’ Latest Vessel
Build Project 08 is currently under construction at Profab Central Engineering Ltd in Palmerston North, New Zealand. The hull was successfully rolled over in October, and the superstructure is now taking shape. Stage two of the program, interior, paintwork and finishing details will later take place in Whangarei, New Zealand. BP08’s sleek lines were designed by Craig Loomes Design Group. The 103.3 ft passagemaker is being built to Germanischer Lloyd 100 A5 class and New Zealand MSA survey. With Twin Caterpillar C18 ACERT 600HP engines, she will cruise at 12.5 knots.
