My Clean Break column in today’s Toronto Star takes a look at how clean technologies are poised to transform the shipping industry and others that rely on water transport. Whether it’s new ways of getting rid of on-board waste and bilge water, or the use of the sun, wind and waves to power vessels, it appears that change may be on the horizon as stricter environmental regulations and higher oil prices become the new new. One example of a futuritist “clean” ship is the Orcelle, a concept vessel designed by Stockholm-based ocean shipping giant Wallenius Wilhelmsen. The Orcelle, nearly twice the length of a Preussen clipper ship, would have three massive sails made of composite materials that would also double as solar panels for capturing rays from the sun. Wave-energy systems, appearing as 12 “fins” under the boat, would harness energy from the ocean. These renewable energy sources would go directly into powering the vessel or would be converted into hydrogen and used in fuel cells later. The company believes such as design is possible by 2025.

Another example is the Sydney Solar Sailor, made by the Australian company of the same name. This harbour ferry has been in operation for five years, using wind power and solar panels (a similar design envisioned in the Orcelle) as part of a hybrid-electric design that quietly and cleanly moves the boat at 8 knots. Great for tourist spots where the preference is for low noise, no pollution. Other jurisdictions — Beijing and San Francisco, to name two — are interested in buying Solar Sailors for their own harbours, and the company is currently trying to scale up the idea to larger cargo vessels.

In fact, Solar Sailor has been short-listed for a project that would involve transporting billions of litres of water each year from one area of Australia to another in tankers equiped with solar/wind “wings.” I’ve attached a PowerPoint presentation of that proposal here. Robert Hawke, the former prime minister of Australia, is chairman of the company so it does have industry credibility. It will be interesting to see how, over the years, these cleantech approaches begin to transform the ocean shipping and tourism industries. 

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