Eco Marine Power (EMP) unveiled today its plan to widen the scope of the Aquarius Eco ShipTM project and invite other companies to join this innovative low-emissions ship design initiative. As part of this plan a wider range of technologies will be studied including fuel cells, air lubrication systems & electrical propulsion plus ship owners that are already in-directly connected to the project will be invited to participate more directly.
The Aquarius Eco Ship concept design is an ongoing comprehensive study project focused on optimising the design of a large ocean going ship such as a bulk carrier, oil tanker, RoRo vessel or cruise ship, to harness the power of the wind & sun using Aquarius MRE®. This study was started by Eco Marine Power Co. Ltd (EMP) in May 2011 and has attracted world-wide interest.
Image credit: ecomarinepower.com
The centre piece of the Aquarius Eco Ship is Aquarius MRE (Marine Renewable Energy) – an innovative and patented fuel saving and emission reduction system that incorporates a variety of elements including solar panels, energy storage modules, computer control systems and an advanced rigid sail design known as the EnergySail®.
Elements of Aquarius MRE have already been commercialized and it is expected that the expanded project will lead to further fuel and emission reduction solutions being introduced into the market. EMP also recently displayed several technologies associated with the project including a working prototype of an EnergySail and the EnergySail Automated Control System (ACS) at Sea Japan 2018 in Tokyo.
In addition to ship owners being invited to join the project, EMP is also reaching out to equipment vendors, classification societies & shipyards. EMP will also begin to look for additional investors and strategic partners to help support sea trials and commercialize various technologies.
On making the announcement of the expanded Aquarius Eco Ship Project, Greg Atkinson, Chief Technology Officer at Eco Marine Power commented “A primary aim of opening up and widening the Aquarius Eco Ship project is to help develop further, practical fuel and emission reduction technologies beyond our current focus on wind & solar power”. He added: “We also wish to extend the project’s reach further beyond Japan and bring in additional investors so that we can help other start-ups in the maritime clean technology field.”
Companies already involved in the Aquarius Eco Ship Project include Teramoto Iron Works, The Furukawa Battery Company and KEI System.
Press release: ecomarinepower.com
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