Articles tagged with "maritime-industry"
US firm turns crop waste into long-range fuel for planes, ships
US-based Honeywell has developed a new Biocrude Upgrading process technology that converts agricultural and forestry waste—such as wood chips and crop residues—into renewable fuels suitable for long-range applications in maritime shipping and aviation. This technology addresses the maritime industry’s urgent need to reduce its roughly 3% share of global greenhouse gas emissions by providing a lower-carbon “drop-in” alternative to traditional heavy fuel oil, which has powered ocean vessels since the 1960s. The renewable marine fuel produced has a higher energy density than many existing biofuels, enabling ships to extend their operational range without costly engine modifications. The process begins at feedstock collection sites, where raw biomass is converted into a stable, densified “biocrude,” reducing transport costs before it is refined at centralized facilities. Honeywell’s modular, prefabricated plants aim to accelerate deployment timelines and lower upfront capital risks for customers, making the technology more accessible and cost-effective. This innovation aligns with broader global efforts to develop sustainable
energyrenewable-fuelbiocrudesustainable-aviation-fuelmaritime-industrybiomass-conversiondecarbonizationFrom Steward to Saboteur: America’s Role in the Failure to Govern the Maritime Commons - CleanTechnica
The article discusses the recent failure of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to adopt a global carbon-pricing mechanism for the shipping industry, highlighting it as a contemporary example of Garrett Hardin’s “tragedy of the commons.” The ocean, serving as a shared resource and waste sink, suffers from overuse as nations prioritize short-term economic benefits from cheap fossil-fuel-driven trade while deferring the long-term environmental costs globally. The proposed carbon levy, part of the IMO’s Net-Zero Framework, aimed to price emissions and fund cleaner fuel infrastructure, but collapsed primarily due to heavy lobbying by the United States, which warned smaller countries of trade and diplomatic repercussions. Saudi Arabia and some allies supported the U.S. stance, framing the levy as a threat to competitiveness, resulting in a one-year postponement and a missed opportunity to align maritime shipping with global climate goals. The article further explores differing ideological interpretations of Hardin’s tragedy of the commons. Classical economists see the failure as a pricing problem solv
energymaritime-industrycarbon-pricingclimate-policyInternational-Maritime-Organizationfossil-fuelsenvironmental-regulationUS firm's humanoid robots to transform shipyard operations
The American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) has partnered with Houston-based robotics company Persona AI to introduce industrial-grade humanoid robots into shipyard operations. This collaboration aims to adapt Persona AI’s humanoid robots to perform a variety of shipyard tasks, leveraging their flexibility and mobility to operate effectively in complex and confined environments designed for human workers. The partnership will also focus on developing new ABS standards for data quality and types needed to support digital and remote survey techniques, which will guide future robot design and certification processes in the maritime industry. ABS and Persona AI’s joint efforts mark a significant milestone for shipbuilding, as they work to integrate emerging robotic technologies safely and reliably into shipyard workflows. Persona AI emphasizes that their humanoid robots are designed to work alongside human workers, enhancing safety and productivity rather than replacing personnel. These robots utilize advanced NASA robotic hand technology to achieve the dexterity required for skilled tasks in dynamic, unstructured environments. This innovation addresses critical workforce challenges in shipyards, where high attrition and
robothumanoid-robotsshipyard-automationrobotics-engineeringmaritime-industryindustrial-robotsrobotics-standardsFrom Quay to Sea: A Port Decarbonization Roadmap - CleanTechnica
The article "From Quay to Sea: A Port Decarbonization Roadmap" presents a practical and detailed strategy for reducing carbon emissions in port operations, developed through extensive industry engagement. Ports, as critical hubs of global trade and local economic activity, face the dual challenge of being significant sources of pollution while situated near urban populations affected by diesel exhaust and noise. Decarbonization is framed not only as an environmental imperative but also as essential for competitiveness, regulatory compliance, and community health. The roadmap outlines a phased approach that begins with electrifying landside equipment such as yard tractors and forklifts, progresses to electrifying harbor vessels like tugs and ferries, then expands to shore power for ships at berth, and ultimately addresses coastal and deep-sea shipping. The baseline data highlights the substantial diesel consumption and CO2 emissions of a typical mid-sized European port, emphasizing the urgency of change. The first phase focuses on replacing diesel-powered yard equipment with electric alternatives, which, despite higher upfront costs
energydecarbonizationport-operationsmaritime-industryelectric-vehiclesemissions-reductionclean-energy-infrastructurePowering Ports: Electrifying Harbor Craft & Ferries For Lower Costs & Emissions
energyelectrificationdecarbonizationmaritime-industrybattery-electric-solutionsemissions-reductionharbor-tugs