First Solar Cargo Ships Hits the Seas

Published 12/19/2008 10:57:08 AM by staff from ecoistabode

Japan launched the first cargo ship powered by solar energy this week. Auriga Leader took off from a shipyard in the western city of Kobe, Japan. The ship was developed by Nippon Oil and Nippon Yusen KK is aimed to cut fuel costs and carbon emissions, thus being more cost efficient as well as envirnomentally friendly.

The huge Auriga Leader is capable of carrying 6,400 automobiles is equipped with 328 solar panels at a cost of $1.68 million dollars and will initially transport vehicles being sent for sale overseas by Japan's top automaker Toyota Motors.

The solar power system can generate 40 kilowatts, which would initially cover only 0.2% of the ship's energy consumption for propulsion, but company officials said they hoped to raise the ratio in the near future. Experts say maritime transport accounts for about 3% of the world's greenhouse gas emissions, but the industry remains largely unregulated due to its international nature.