Yahoo Finance Ships to use propellers that mimic whale tails to cut carbon emissions
Whales may hold the secret to helping reduce emissions in one of the world’s most polluting industries, according to a shipping company which has designed vessels based on the marine mammal.
Engineering giant ABB has developed a new propulsion system that mimics the movements of a whale tail, which it says reduces ships’ energy consumption by more than a fifth.
The technology consists of a series of five vertical fins that protrude from the hull of vessels. They are hooked up to a large wheel inside the ship, powered by an electric motor, that rotates at between 30-80 rounds per minute.
The movement of the wheel and blades combined allows ships to be powered and steered simultaneously.
ABB claims trials of the system show the innovation will reduce energy consumption by 22pc when compared with conventional propulsion methods.
Although it avoids much of the criticism levelled at the aviation industry, the shipping sector has a similar carbon footprint, being responsible for almost 3pc of global greenhouse gas emissions annually.
If the maritime industry was a country it would be the world’s sixth biggest emitter. Unlike other industries, shipping emissions have risen in recent years, increasing by 4.9pc between 2019 and 2021.
Experts have warned that there is no easy way to reduce the shipping sector’s carbon footprint, with 90pc of global trade being carried by sea.
Bosses have been warned that the shipping industry could be responsible for 13pc of carbon emissions by 2050 if they fail to take action.
The International Maritime Organization has set a goal to cut annual greenhouse gas emissions by at least 50pc of 2008 levels by 2050.
ABB is one of Europe’s biggest engineering companies.
Founded in Sweden and now headquartered and listed in Switzerland, it boasts a stock market valuation of nearly £60bn and employs more than 100,000 people globally.
The company said that the new technology, called Dynafin, will be available in prototype form in 2025.
Juha Koskela, division president at ABB Marine & Ports, said that the development had been years in the making.
He added: “[It] shows what is possible when marine engineers pursue radical innovation and progress, inspired by the interplay of evolution and technology.
“This solution is all about operational efficiency and emissions avoidance, leveraging innovations from the brightest minds in marine and propulsion engineering.”
