As part of its zero emission ship design project, Eco Marine Power of Japan has released details of a new Handymax bulker that incorporates a range of renewable energy solutions, energy saving devices, electric propulsion and fuel cells.
The design concept is known as the Aquarius Eco Handymax II and all the technologies currently encompassed in the design are believed to be either currently available or under-development. The Aquarius Eco Handymax II includes the integrated sail-assisted propulsion and solar power system known as Aquarius Marine Renewable Energy (MRE). A range of energy saving devices including an air lubrication system (ALS) have also been added along with electric propulsion & fuel cells. The Aquarius MRE technology was granted Approval in Principle by ClassNK in 2021 and a further patent related to this system has been applied for.
Some of the technologies incorporated into the Aquarius Eco Handymax II design will be installed for evaluation purposes on an actual Handymax bulker during 2022 and, as the project continues, further technologies will be deployed. The performance of the energy saving devices installed on this vessel will be evaluated in cooperation with the ship owner and strategic partners.
Greg Atkinson, President and CTO Eco Marine Power, said: “The Aquarius Eco Handymax is the result of years of R&D including shore-based and ship-based trials. The design focus is not on any one solution or technology however, but rather how various alternative power sources and energy saving devices can work together to achieve the zero emissions operation of a large ship.”
Several companies are cooperating on R&D activities related to the Aquarius Eco Handymax II within the framework of the Eco Marine Power Research Institute with additional companies expected to join.
