Ship as a method for transportation is considered to be environmentally friendly. The usage of fossil fuel versus the weight of goods that it transports is smaller than trucks or cars. However the increase of volume of goods every year contributes to more greenhouse gas or GHG emission.

This cargo ship is a concept designed ship which was jointly designed by NYK line subsidiary; MTI of Japan, Elomatic of Finland and Garroni Progetti S.r.l. of Italy. Elomatic is a marine consulting company from Finland and Garroni Progetti S.r.l.  is a ship designer company from Italy.

NYK Super Eco Ship 2030 shall operate with 69% less carbon emission in 2030. NYK Line targeted to cut total CO₂ emissions in half by 2050 for their operations as well as to reduce CO₂ emission per ton mile by 85%.

Technical Data of NYK Super Eco Ship 2030

• Length overall: 352 meters
• Length between perpendiculars: 343 meters
• Breadth at waterline: 43 meters
• Maximum breadth: 54.6 meters
• Height to main deck: 24 meters
• Design draught: 11.5 meters
• Maximum draught: 13 meters
• Air draft: 43.5 meters
• Air draft with sails: 78 meters
• Hull: double hull
• Hull girder: closed
• Cargo capacity: 8000 TEU
• Fuel: 2,000 tonnes
• Deadweight: 70,000 tonnes
• Loading: self-loading from holds
• Propulsion power: 44,000 kW
• Power plant: combined LNG fuel cell and solar cell
• Propeller: twin screw contra rotating propellers
• Power generation from renewable sources: solar cell area approximately 31,000 square meters and sail area (wind energy) approximately 4,000 square meters.

This ship however is not totally powered by renewable energy. The ship is powered by wind, solar and fuel cells. The reduction of carbon dioxide or CO₂ is done by the fuel cells. It uses LNG fuel cells or natural gas fuel cells to power the ship.

Fuel cell is device that allows conversion from chemical energy into electricity from fuel. This conversion is more efficient as well as produces lower carbon emission compared to the traditional methods. Fuel cell is not a renewable energy source unless the fuel which is used in the fuel cell is produce from renewable energy sources. The chemicals or fuel for fuel cell could be from methane, hydrogen or alcohol such as methanol and ethanol.

Cruise Ship Powered by Wind

Another interesting ship design is a cruise ship which is called EOSEAS. This cruise ship is powered by LNG or natural gas with trigeneration type of engine and wind as secondary. It has 12,000 square meters sails area. Solar panels are also planned to be installed for generating some demand of electricity.

According to STX Europe they utilize waste and water recycling as well as waste to energy. The most possible technique to convert waste to energy is perhaps similar to how producing the biogas.

Some materials to build this future ship are from recyclable materials. Aerodynamic is improved with air lubrication system under the ship. Both ships are still at concept design stages where hopefully in the future we can see the real ships sails around the world. Thanks for reading.