By Richard Sauter
Sauter Carbon Offset Design regrets to announce that the Ice Cap at the North Pole is gone forever. While we stand around debating who’s responsible for global warming, polar bears drown in search of a place to live. It may be too late for most of them, but what about us? We know that the carbon footprint of commercial vessels can be reduced by 30 billion tons over the next 20 years, but only if legislation demands it.
We know that GHG emissions in superyachts can be reduced by 50 to 100% without compromising their performance. We know that the carbon footprint of the 25 megayachts listed below could have been reduced by 10 million tons, had their owners been given the option to do so.
1. Eclipse 557 feet 162.5m
3,234 tons of CO2 per week
1,617,000 tons of CO2 over life of vessel
2. Dubai 531 feet 132m
3,234 tons of CO2 per week
1,617,000 tons of CO2 over life of vessel
3. Al Said 508 feet 155m
1,848 tons of CO2 per week
924,000 tons of CO2 over life of vessel)
4. Prince Abdul Aziz 482 feet 147m
1,344 tons of CO2 per week
662,000 tons of CO2 over life of vessel)
5. Al Salmah 457 feet 139m
1,344 tons of CO2 per week
662,000 tons of CO2 over life of vessel
6. Rising Sun 453 feet 138m
4,000 tons of CO2 per week
2,000,000 tons of CO2 over life of vessel
7. Al Mirqab 437 feet 133m
1,175 tons of CO2 per week
588,000 tons of CO2 over life of vessel
8. Octopus 414 feet 126m
1,610 tons of CO2 per week
805,000 tons of CO2 over life of vessel
9. Project Stark 390 feet 119m
2,800 tons of CO2 per week
1,400,,000 tons of CO2 over life of vessel
10. Turama The 385 feet 117m
806 tons of CO2 per week
400,000 tons of CO2 over life of vessel
11. Atlantis II 379 feet 116m
806 tons of CO2 per week
400,000 tons of CO2 over life of vessel
12. Pelorus 377 feet 115m
902 tons of CO2 per week
453,000 tons of CO2 over life of vessel
13. Luna 377 feet 115m
806 tons of CO2 per week
400,000 tons of CO2 over life of vessel
14. Le Grand Blue 370 feet 113m
806 tons of CO2 per week
400,000 tons of CO2 over life of vessel
15. Dilbar 360 feet 110m
924 tons of CO2 per week
462,000 tons of CO2 over life of vessel
16. Radiant 360 feet110m
924 tons of CO2 per week
462,000 tons of CO2 over life of vessel
17. Lady Moura 344 feet 106m
1,142 tons of CO2 per week
571,000 tons of CO2 over life of vessel
18. Loaloat Al Behar 340 feet 104m
840 tons of CO2 per week
420,000 tons of CO2 over life of vessel
19. Carinthia VII 321feet 100m
3,330 tons of CO2 per week
1, 670,000 tons of CO2 over life of vessel
20. Limitless 316 feet 96m
1,209 tons of CO2 per week
604,000 tons of CO2 over life of vessel
21. Attessa 302 feet 92m
1,209 tons of CO2 per week
604,000 tons of CO2 over life of vessel
22. Ecstasea 282 feet 86m
2,770 tons of CO2 per week
1,386,000 tons of CO2 over life of vessel
23. Constellation 262 feet 80m
1,344 tons of CO2 per week
662,000 tons of CO2 over life of vessel)
24. Stargate 262 feet 80m
1,344 tons of CO2 per week
662,000 tons of CO2 over life of vessel)
25. Enigma 244 feet 74m
2,436 tons of CO2 per week
1,218,,000 tons of CO2 over life of vessel
Figures are based on 8 weeks of cruising per year. Service life of these vessels is conservatively estimated at 50 years.
We know what can be done to reduce GHG emissions in most vessels by 75%, but will it be done in time? (contributed article)
My company, STI, manufactures emissions control equipment for commercial ships. The reduction or elimination of GHGs can be accomplished through using technology: But it is never cheap. From my years in the industry, regulation is really the only motivating factor for most companies unless they are large enough to garner enough bad publicity that their customers notice.
Our blog, http://www.cleanairatsea.com, goes into significant detail on this complex subject.
A Solar Hybrid Vessel reduces the emissions of a 40,000hp Supertanker by 75% by reducing its fuel consumption by 75%. For this type of vessel, we are looking at saving what it cost to purchase 40 million liters of fuel per year over 20 years if not longer.
Given the expected rise in fuel prices for this period, The savings in the purchase of fuel over the service life of a Solar Hybrid Supertanker could easily cover the cost of buiding the vessel.
What I’ve learned in this market is that there are many ways to reduce emissions and costs, but the industry is stubborn. Getting management to think of sustainability as an investment rather than an expense is challenging, to say the least (And it is my job in sales). Secondly, there have been so many fuel additives and other “advances” that nver proved reliable that there is a substantial amount of skepticism about fuel savings claims.
I would agree with you that hybrid, alternative fuels, and mechanical (or chemical) treatment of emissions is the future. All offer significant savings in fuel. It just remains to be seen which technology leads the market.