Just-In-Time For Hybrid-Electric Shipping?

An article posted last week by the Guardian and highlighted yesterday by Treehugger.com cites recent studies as well as data from maritime industry sources that the combination of quantity and quality of low-grade bunker fuel used in the massive engines of freight vessels may result in more emissions than all the cars in the world!  I don’t mean to wax sensationalist here, this is what is stated in the article.  If the truth is anywhere near the statement, then the idea of

2 minute read

April 15, 2009, 12:15 PM PDT

By Ian Sacs


An article posted last week by the Guardian and highlighted yesterday by Treehugger.com cites recent studies as well as data from maritime industry sources that the combination of quantity and quality of low-grade bunker fuel used in the massive engines of freight vessels may result in more emissions than all the cars in the world!  I don't mean to wax sensationalist here, this is what is stated in the article.  If the truth is anywhere near the statement, then the idea of hybrid-electric propulsion is more relevant to the design of freight and passenger ships than any personal automobile.

I admit that my daydreaming of sailboats using a mix of electric motors and a compact, efficient generator is a much more alluring topic for someone who loves to be on the water, but the emissions reporting above immediately shifted my focus to a more practical use for the technology.  Hybrid-electric propulsion for ships is logical because it allows for significantly more efficient fuel burn since engines are set to optimum rpm and are decoupled from props.  This also has an excellent side-effect of better prop control with electric motors whereas diesel engines, by design, have a minimum rpm (when engaged) that must be supplemented with thrusters.  Captains love to minimize the number of moving parts that can fail in a ship, and Hybrid-electric systems have the potential to do so.  Paired with a large battery array, such systems could potentially be charged with cleaner energy while in port to avoid the use of any fuel while within coastal waters, supporting impending laws such as the new low emissions shipping zone buffer announced recently by the USEPA.

Expanding further into the future, the idea of a return to sailing ships, or ships carried by trade winds using enormous kites, would further reduce or eliminate the need for fuel consumption at sea.  Generating enough electricity from on-board solar panels or windmills is still technologically prohibitive for most ships, but there is still room for supplementing demand.  And anyone with a course in logistics under his belt knows that once a shipping cycle is developed for a particular product, shipping time is not nearly as important as shipping frequency, particularly for just-in-time systems. There is a huge spectrum of solutions between bunker fuel and zero-emissions shipping.    With every major economic interest involved and the lifeblood of globalization at the heart of the debate, finding an acceptable footing from which to begin the slow climb towards an emissions free shipping industry can be tricky.  As we progress through the first step (acknowledging we have a problem), I hope the conversation turns to Hybrid-electric rather than other much less progressive options.


Ian Sacs

Ian Sacs has been playing in traffic for over ten years. He solves challenging urban transportation and parking problems by making the best possible use of precious public spaces and designing custom-fit programs to distribute modal demand.

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Wastewater pouring out from a pipe.

Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage

Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”

April 13, 2025 - Inside Climate News

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 16, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Blue and white Seattle Link light rail train exiting concrete Downtown Bellevue Tunnel in Bellevue, WA.

Why Should We Subsidize Public Transportation?

Many public transit agencies face financial stress due to rising costs, declining fare revenue, and declining subsidies. Transit advocates must provide a strong business case for increasing public transit funding.

April 7, 2025 - Todd Litman

Two people on bikes in red painted bike lane with bus in traffic lane next to them.

Understanding Road Diets

An explainer from Momentum highlights the advantages of reducing vehicle lanes in favor of more bike, transit, and pedestrian infrastructure.

April 17 - Momentum Magazine

Aerial view of large warehouses across from development of suburban single-family homes in Jurupa, California with desert mountains in background.

New California Law Regulates Warehouse Pollution

A new law tightens building and emissions regulations for large distribution warehouses to mitigate air pollution and traffic in surrounding communities.

April 17 - Black Voice News

Purple Phoenix light rail train connected to overhead wires at sunset.

Phoenix Announces Opening Date for Light Rail Extension

The South Central extension will connect South Phoenix to downtown and other major hubs starting on June 7.

April 17 - Arizona Republic