From sails to wings: Maritime players innovate on fuel efficiency

ROTATING sails, hybrid boats and vessels inspired by birds – these are some of the innovations that Singapore-listed companies are deploying to improve the energy efficiency of maritime transportation as the shipping industry aims to lower its emissions and reach net zero “by or around” 2050.

Greener fuels such as ammonia and methanol are gaining traction. As The Business Times recently reported, more ships are set to be retrofitted with dual-fuel engines that can run on these fuels in the coming years.

These green fuels do not produce as much carbon dioxide when they are burned, but the trade-off is lower energy density.