Articles tagged with "maritime-transport"
Russian ship with nuclear reactor for North Korea torpedoed in 2024
In December 2024, the Russian cargo ship Ursa Major sank in international waters near Cartagena, Spain, after sustaining hull damage consistent with an external attack, likely from a supercavitating torpedo. The vessel, part of Russia’s “ghost fleet,” was secretly transporting undeclared nuclear reactor components—specifically casings for two VM-4SG nuclear reactors—believed to be destined for North Korea’s port city of Rason. Spanish authorities uncovered discrepancies between the declared cargo and the actual contents, noting the presence of heavy cranes aboard the ship, which would facilitate offloading at Rason, a port connected to Russia by rail but with limited handling capacity. The ship’s unusual route from St. Petersburg to Vladivostok via the Mediterranean further raised suspicions, as overland transport of such heavy equipment would have been impractical. Spanish investigators recorded underwater shockwaves consistent with an external explosion and found a 50 by 50 cm hole in the ship’s starboard hull with
energynuclear-reactorsmaritime-transportinternational-sanctionsNorth-KoreaRussianuclear-materialsHuge Cargo Sailing Ship Completes Voyage Across Atlantic - CleanTechnica
The Neoliner Origin, touted as the world’s largest cargo sailing ship at 136 meters (about 446 feet), recently completed a transatlantic voyage from France to the US. Despite sustaining damage to its semi-rigid sails during the journey, which necessitated the use of motors, the ship successfully delivered cargo including wheeled machinery, a boat, and luxury goods such as bottles of champagne and cognac. Under normal conditions, the sails would provide the main propulsion, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 80% or more. The vessel, capable of carrying about 5,300 tons of goods at a cruising speed of 11 knots, is currently undergoing repairs while offloading cargo at a port in Baltimore, where it is expected to make regular visits on a roughly 28-day rotation. The Neoliner project has attracted support from several French luxury brands committed to sustainability, including Rémy Cointreau, which shipped over 11,000 bottles of its Telmont champagne aboard the
energyclean-energysustainable-shippingcarbon-emissions-reductionmaritime-transportgreen-technologyenvironmental-impactIsland Ports Enable Long-Distance Electric Shipping - CleanTechnica
The article from CleanTechnica explores the feasibility and benefits of electrifying long-distance container shipping using battery technology, particularly focusing on island ports as enablers for electric shipping routes. It highlights that at current battery prices around US$100/kWh, electrification is economical for intraregional shipping routes under 1,500 km, with minimal cargo capacity loss. Factoring in environmental costs extends this economical range to 5,000 km, and further battery price reductions to US$50/kWh could nearly double that range. The article emphasizes that electrification could cover over 40% of global container ship traffic within this decade, significantly reducing CO2 emissions and air pollution impacts on coastal communities. A key innovation discussed is the use of standardized, swappable battery containers (TEUs) that can be charged on land at transshipment ports and then loaded onto ships, enabling flexible energy supply without lengthy in-transit recharging. This approach is already demonstrated by COSCO container ships and could facilitate longer
energyelectric-shippingbattery-electrificationclean-energymaritime-transportsustainable-shippingbattery-technologyThe LNG Detour: What Scotland's New Ferry Teaches US - CleanTechnica
The article discusses Scotland’s Glen Sannox ferry, launched as the country’s first “green” ferry designed to run on dual fuels—marine diesel and liquefied natural gas (LNG)—with the goal of reducing emissions and improving local air quality on the mainland-Arran route. Despite its green intentions, the project has faced significant challenges, including a decade-long delay, escalating costs, and technical issues. The ferry only entered service in January 2025, ten years after its initial order in 2015. Meanwhile, recent research, notably the ICCT’s 2024 FUMES study, revealed that methane slip (unburned methane emissions) from LNG engines is significantly higher than previously estimated, casting doubt on the ferry’s climate benefits. CalMac’s analysis shows Glen Sannox emits about 10,391 tons of CO2 equivalent annually, approximately 35% more than the older diesel ferry it replaced, the Caledonian Isles, which emits 7,
energyLNGclean-energymaritime-transportemissionsclimate-impactdual-fuel-enginesWorld's first ammonia commercial ship engine set to launch in Japan
Japan Engine Corporation (J-ENG) has developed and unveiled the world’s first commercial ammonia-powered ship engine, the 7UEC50LSJA-HPSCR, marking a significant advancement in maritime decarbonization. This dual-fuel engine, capable of running on both ammonia and heavy fuel oil, features seven cylinders with a 50 cm bore and incorporates a high-pressure Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) system that drastically reduces nitrogen emissions by using ammonia-based agents. The engine successfully passed rigorous performance tests supervised by major industry players and was certified by ClassNK for environmental performance and operational safety. It is scheduled for shipment in October 2025 and will be installed on an Ammonia-Fueled Medium Gas Carrier (AFMGC) set to enter commercial service in 2026, representing the first full-scale deployment of ammonia marine engine technology. The development is part of Japan’s Green Innovation Fund Project, supported by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO),
energyammonia-fuelmarine-enginegreen-technologyemissions-reductiondual-fuel-enginemaritime-transportWorld’s largest solar car vessel carries 4,000 vehicles on first voyage
The Yuanhai Kou, built by China COSCO Shipping Corporation, is the world’s largest solar-powered car carrier vessel and has completed its maiden voyage delivering 4,000 Chinese-made vehicles to Greece. Measuring nearly 200 meters in length with a gross tonnage of 68,252 tons, the ship features 12 vehicle decks capable of transporting up to 7,000 vehicles, including passenger cars and buses. It is equipped with the largest shipborne photovoltaic system, generating a peak power output of 302.8 kilowatts and producing about 410,000 kWh annually through over 500 high-efficiency Longi Sea-Shield solar modules. These solar panels reduce fuel consumption by approximately 111 tons and cut CO₂ emissions by nearly 346 tons per year, contributing to significant environmental benefits. The Yuanhai Kou operates with a dual-fuel engine using liquefied natural gas (LNG) and fuel oil, achieving around 20% energy savings and a 24% reduction
energysolar-powerphotovoltaic-systemgreen-shippingLNG-fuelcarbon-emissions-reductionmaritime-transportWorld's biggest electric ferry to connect Finland and Estonia by the 2030s
Finnish shipping company Viking Line has unveiled plans for Helios, the world’s largest fully electric passenger-car ferry, designed to operate emission-free between Helsinki and Tallinn by the 2030s. Measuring 640 feet long and 98 feet wide, Helios will carry up to 2,000 passengers, 650 cars, and two kilometers of freight. Powered entirely by batteries with a capacity of 85 to 100 megawatt-hours—several times larger than any existing passenger ship’s battery—the ferry will complete the 43-nautical-mile crossing in just over two hours at 23 knots. The vessel will recharge at ports using over 30 MWh of power per docking, supported by infrastructure upgrades underway at the Port of Helsinki. Helios is part of the FIN-EST Green Corridor initiative, aiming to establish a fully emission-free maritime route between Finland and Estonia. Viking Line, which has a history of maritime innovation including LNG/biogas-powered Viking Grace and the climate-smart Viking Glory, plans to order two such electric ships to double capacity on this busy route. Passenger traffic between Helsinki’s West Harbor and Tallinn is projected to more than double by 2040, with cargo volumes also rising significantly. Viking Line’s CEO Jan Hanses emphasized that emission-free technology is essential to meet growing demand while complying with tightening EU emissions regulations and rising carbon costs, marking a new era in sustainable maritime transport.
energyelectric-ferrymaritime-transportbattery-technologysustainable-shippinggreen-energyemission-free-transportation