Page 52: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (February 2020)

HYBRID DRIVES RENEWABLES

Lean & Green

Greg Atkinson, founder and CTO at Eco Marine Power, has been on the ‘green’ track since the company’s founding nine years ago. We checked in with this Japanese-based tech company for an update on its activities.

By Greg Trauthwein

Eco Marine Power spent the last ? ve years ? ne-tuning its solar power renewable energy system – Aquarius MRE, ready design concepts, applying for patents and trademarks, and for commercial release. This system incorporates our patented moving the ? rst of its solutions through sea trials and eventu- wind-assisted propulsion device known as the EnergySail.” ally commercial release, according to Atkinson. “Along the way we have formed a number of key strategic partnerships Nine Years and Counting with technology providers and manufactures, plus been able Eco Marine Power was originally started in 2010 to focus on to establish links to several ship managers and ship owners.” the development of ideas that might lead to projects to design

Of note has been Eco Marine Power’s cooperation with Ze- solutions that would reduce fuel consumption and harmful air- aborn Ship Management Pte Ltd. (Singapore) and during the borne emissions across shipping. “Back then there was an in- last few years together it has installed its solar power and fuel creasing awareness that Particulate Matter (PM) released into monitoring solution onto MV Panamana. the air as a result of burning heavy fuel oil was a major health “Our products that are now available include the fuel con- hazard and that shipping had to clean up its act,” said Atkin- sumption and emissions monitoring system – Aquarius MAS, son. “But I recall there was quite a bit of resistance from many and our ship solar power system – Aquarius in the industry in regards to the need for

Marine Solar Power,” said Atkinson. Also, further environmental related regulations in cooperation with The Furukawa Battery and also skepticism in regards to the use

Left: Eco Marine Power and

Company it has also introduced new en- of alternative power and propulsion tech-

Zeaborn Ship Management ergy storage solutions and class-approved nologies. Today there is more wide-spread

Pte Ltd. (Singapore) have had batteries including the FCR-50-12 and the acceptance of the need for regulations and a cooperation, installing solar hybrid VRLA battery – UB-50-12. “Our more willingness to consider alternative power and fuel monitoring solution onto MV Panamana. focus now is to get our combined wind and propulsion and power options, but the sec-

Right: The Eco Ship.

Photo: Eco Marine Power 52 Maritime Reporter & Engineering News • February 2020

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