University to Design Fossil Fuel-Free Cargo Ship
Developments are underway at the University of Southampton to design the modern world’s first 100% fossil fuel free sailing cargo ships, in a project which aims to provide efficient and affordable low-carbon shipping in the face of rising fossil fuel prices and the global challenge of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The project combines proven technology and a state of the art dyna-rig sail propulsion system with an off the shelf Rolls-Royce engine powered by waste derived liquid biomethane (liquid gas). The ships are being developed by B9 Shipping, part of the B9 Energy group of companies, which has started work on a full-scale demonstration vessel validating the engineering and economic assumptions of the initial vessel design.
MCA Researches High-Speed Craft
The U.K. Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has assumed a series of projects researching aspects of the stability of craft certificated under the IMO Code of Safety for High-Speed Craft (2000). Following recommendations by the High Speed Craft Advisory Group (an MCA consultative committee), proposals were submitted to the Research Board in 2002, and contracts have been awarded during the first few months of 2003. Project 501 is investigating the mechanics of raking damage of high-speed craft, taking into account hull material and scantlings, and the vessel’s displacement and speed. The objective is to determine scientifically the extent of damage that should be considered on such craft if a level of safety equivalent to conventional merchant shipping is to be attained.
