The maritime industry transports approximately 10 billion tons of cargo around the world each year and is one of the most significant contributors to global pollution. In an attempt to cut emissions of greenhouse gases by 50%, the maritime industry has been trying to transition its operations from a fossil fuel system to one powered by electricity. This is also known as marine electrification.
As the world shifts toward more eco-friendly and sustainable practices, the marine propulsion system industry has seen significant growth and development, with many electrical propulsion alternatives emerging over the years. One of which is the hybrid marine propulsion system. We discuss the difference between marine propulsion systems powered by fossil fuels and hybrid marine propulsion systems, as well as why your company should consider switching to a hybrid marine propulsion system.
Two of the most common marine propulsion systems used since the early days are diesel propulsion systems and the steam turbine propulsion system. The former is the most common marine propulsion system, which uses diesel fuel to generate energy and propel a vessel forward, whereas the latter uses coal or other fuels to generate steam to move a vessel, and both of these marine propulsion systems contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions and global warming.