Shipping moves 90% of global trade and produces nearly 3% of global emissions. Big cargo ships travel for weeks and depend on cheap but highly polluting heavy fuel oil. Global plans for cleaner fuels stalled this year, but falling battery prices open a new path.
As The Conversation reports, Electric ferries, harbour tugs and river vessels already operate well because they run short routes and charge at the dock. But long-distance container ships can sail from China to Europe without stopping. Battery packs large enough for this would be too heavy and too expensive.
Two Ways Batteries Could Help
Electrification doesn’t have to be total. Batteries could work alongside fuel. One way is to put battery packs on the ship, charged in ports. But modelling shows this is extremely costly and only powers a ship for about a day.
The second idea is stronger: use battery vessels that travel beside the container ship. The ship draws power while the battery-vessel moves alongside, then the vessel returns to port to recharge. On some routes, this system could work with dozens of battery vessels rotating in sequence.
Does It Make Economic Sense?
A large onboard battery could cost A$150 million and sit unused for weeks if routes change. Battery-vessels, however, offer flexibility. They can start on regions with cheap renewables and shorter distances. Electric propulsion could also boost speeds by up to 50%, creating financial incentives as battery prices fall.
What the Future Looks Like
Shipping needs clean fuels, better engines and electrification where possible. Giant onboard batteries may never work for ocean crossings. But a smart fleet of battery vessels could cut emissions, lower costs and help shipping move towards net zero.
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Source: The Conversation
