French containership giant CMA CGM is partnership with the hydrogen-powered vessel project Energy Observer to study and promote the zero-emission fuel within the shipping industry.
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Launched in 2017, the Energy Observer is the first hydrogen powered-vessel to embark on a round-the-world voyage. The “green” hydrogen used by the vessel is made from seawater using on-board renewable sources, namely solar, wind and hydropower.
Through its partnership with CMA CGM, Energy Observer will act as a a sort of floating laboratory to study the fuel and develop solutions that could be helpful in deploying hydrogen fuel on a large scale within the global shipping industry.
“CMA CGM and Energy Observer R&D experts will pool their expertise and knowledge to develop technological solutions capable of limiting the environmental impact of shipping. The mobilization of CMA CGM will make possible the industrialization of new concrete energy solutions tested on board this floating smart grid,” CMA CGM said in a press release.
The United Nations’ International Maritime Organization (IMO) estimates that the world’s shipping fleet accounts for more than 2 percent of the human-produced CO2 emissions globally. In response, in April 2018 the IMO agreed to an initial strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from ships by 50% by 2050 compared to 2008, while simultaneously pursuing efforts towards phasing them out entirely. The ambitious goal will require zero-carbon vessels and fuels to be in use by as soon as 2030.
Hydrogen has emerged as one of the alternative fuels that could help shipping meet the challenge.
“CMA CGM is joining forces with Energy Observer to accelerate the development of tomorrow’s energy solutions, particularly hydrogen,” said Tanya Saadé Zeenny, Executive Officer of the CMA CGM Group. “Our partnership will mobilize all of CMA CGM’s know-how. Our teams of engineers and R&D experts are already working and our network around the world will be strongly mobilized to ensure the logistical support of Energy Observer’s worldwide ports of call.”
For its role, CMA CGM has made efforts to reduce its CO2 emissions per container transported by 50% between 2005 and 2015, and it has set itself the target of reducing it by a further 30% between 2015 and 2025.
Even Bill Gates is in on the new technology
Ship Designer Denies Selling Hydrogen-Powered Yacht to Bill Gates
Only $640 Million!!
Billionaires are the only plausible buyers of the 112-meter superyacht concept Aqua, given its reported 500 million pound ($650 million) price tag.
But contrary to a media report over the weekend, Bill Gates apparently isn’t in contention. Sinot, the Dutch yacht architecture and design firm behind the hydrogen-powered vessel, said Monday that the world’s second-richest person didn’t buy one.
“Aqua is a concept under development and has not been sold to Mr. Gates,” according to a statement on the company’s website. “Sinot has no business relationship with Mr. Gates.”
Representatives for Gates, 64, didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment. The Microsoft Corp. co-founder has a net worth of $117.9 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.
The Sunday Telegraph reported that Gates had commissioned a cutting-edge vessel to be based on the firm’s blueprint. The identity of a buyer is often a closely guarded secret in an industry where owners prize their privacy and vessels can take years to build.
“It is often not relevant to share any details about a new-build superyacht project when it is in the early stages because a lot of engineering, design and research work still needs to be done and decisions still need to be made,” said Merijn de Waard, founder of SuperYacht Times, adding that Aqua is a concept rather than a yacht under construction.
The superyacht’s brochure makes clear any buyer can expect seclusion, noting the owner’s pavilion — which occupies the front half of the upper deck — offers an abundance of privacy. Along with a helipad and infinity pool, the eco-friendly floating palace also includes a spa, floor-to-ceiling glass doors and even a waterfall on deck.