The maritime sector is on the brink of a fascinating transformation. The emergence of electric shipping offers a hopeful way out of the complexities of climate change and environmental pollution, problems that are becoming increasingly urgent. The prospect of ships gliding the waters emission-free sounds almost futuristic, but that future is closer than you might think. In this article, we dive into the innovations driving this revolution and the infrastructure essential to make this transition smooth.

Innovations in electric Shipping

Electric and hybrid propulsion systems

Let’s start with the engines that power ships. Traditionally, ships have been huge polluters, powered by engines running on heavy fuels. But times are changing. The latest innovations in electric and hybrid propulsion systems are a game-changer. These systems use electricity to power the engines, which not only drastically reduces pollutant emissions but also ensures more efficient energy conversion. The beauty of hybrid systems is that they combine the best of both worlds: the clean energy of electricity and the reliable power of traditional fuel engines, which is especially useful for long journeys or unforeseen circumstances.

Sustainability goals

The international shipping industry has set itself an ambitious goal: to be carbon neutral by 2050. This is no small task. It requires a complete overhaul of how we design, build and deploy ships. Important here is cooperation between different industries, governments and knowledge institutes. Only by working together can we implement the necessary innovations and build the infrastructure needed to achieve these goals.

Electric Inland Shipping

Electrification of inland navigation, such as container transport on rivers and canals, is still in its infancy. But this segment offers huge opportunities, especially for a water country like the Netherlands. The advantages of electric barges are great: less noise pollution, no harmful emissions, and lower operational costs. The electrification of inland shipping is expected to accelerate in the coming years, partly due to the growing demand for sustainable transport solutions.

Investments in electric ships

Forward-thinking shipping companies, such as DFDS, see the potential of electric ships and are investing significantly in this technology. Their first two electric ships are scheduled to enter service in 2030, with more to follow by 2035. This kind of investment is crucial, not only to improve the technology, but also to increase market confidence and achieve economies of scale.
In our next blog, we look at infrastructure for charging electric ships.