UK government urged to build demonstration ship using retrofitted sails

The UK’s Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) has a new report out containing recommendations for Boris Johnson and the International Maritime Organization on the reduction of shipping emissions. It follows the recent announcement by the UK government that it will include international shipping within new national carbon emission targets.

In its report Accelerating Decarbonisation in Shipping: A No Regrets Approach Using Wind Power, IMechE calls for the government to support the development of a demonstration ship using retrofitted sails to help shipowners and charterers understand the business case for how wind could be used as a primary propulsion for cargo vessels. Emission reductions of up to 30% could be achieved under the right conditions, the study claims.

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