Capturing the wind and carbon

LAST November, the world's governments agreed to give further consideration to the concept of an industry-financed US$5 billion programme, supervised by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), to accelerate the introduction of zero-emission technologies for maritime transport.

I understand the global ship-owners' body, International Chamber of Shipping, is optimistic that this scheme, to be financed by a mandatory levy of US$2 per tonne of marine fuel, will go ahead. It believes "legitimate issues" raised by some governments can be addressed and resolved.

Additional funding for research of this kind is definitely to be welcomed. Meanwhile, though, new developments in the search for zero-carbon propulsion are appearing thick and fast.