Photo: Conoship International
Zulu Mass is the name of the latest ship design to join the ranks of the most innovative shipping concepts. It's also one of the boldest takes on green shipping, aiming to combine electric propulsion with wind propulsion and fully autonomous operations.
Some innovators in the maritime industry focus on zero-emission propulsion, while others focus on uncrewed operations. Zulu Associates, a Belgium maritime logistics company, wants both. It teamed up with Conoship International, a reputable ship design and engineering company, to develop an unprecedented cargo vessel, one that combines multiple solutions for green propulsion with unmanned capabilities.
The resulting design concept was recently presented as Zulu Mass. It's officially a 200 TEU shortsea container vessel that will be primarily powered by an electric propulsion system with an auxiliary wind power system. And that's not all – the Zulu Mass might even add wave foil propulsion in the future. At the same time, it was designed from the start to operate as an unmanned vessel.
Unmanned operations will be possible due to an existing collaboration between Belgium, Denmark, and the UK, allowing these types of pilot projects based on uncrewed operations to be carried out without the need for separate permits.
The innovative vessel was developed through one of Zulu Associates' subsidiaries, the Anglo-Belgian Shipping Company. Its job will be to cross the channel with zero emissions, traveling on the Green Corridors established between the continent and the UK. Antoon Van Coillie, Zulu Associates CEO, stated that the industry is witnessing an exciting time when "traditional concepts are being challenged." In other words, it's time for a new generation of totally different vessels that are equipped for green shipping.
The Anglo-Belgian Shipping Company is set to start operating the Zulu Mass as soon as 2025. In the meantime, the ship developer is currently discussing with energy providers. The future shipping vessel might include hydrogen as part of its green propulsion system, and foiling technology.
Conoship also designed an innovative sea-river coaster (3600 TDW cargo vessel) that is supposed to be future-proof, meaning that it's compatible with multiple green technologies. This ship will also combine hybrid propulsion with a modern system. Its diesel-electric system was designed to be compatible with the use of alternative fuels such as liquid hydrogen and ammonia. Plus, it will be fitted with two Econowind Ventifoils for harnessing the power of the wind.
This sea-river coaster designed by Conoship was described as an ultra-efficient ship that goes way beyond the current efficiency requirements for ships, as set up by IMO regulations. In the not-so-distant future, all commercial vessels will need to make changes in order to comply with these increasingly harsh standards on the path to emission-free shipping.
The resulting design concept was recently presented as Zulu Mass. It's officially a 200 TEU shortsea container vessel that will be primarily powered by an electric propulsion system with an auxiliary wind power system. And that's not all – the Zulu Mass might even add wave foil propulsion in the future. At the same time, it was designed from the start to operate as an unmanned vessel.
Unmanned operations will be possible due to an existing collaboration between Belgium, Denmark, and the UK, allowing these types of pilot projects based on uncrewed operations to be carried out without the need for separate permits.
The innovative vessel was developed through one of Zulu Associates' subsidiaries, the Anglo-Belgian Shipping Company. Its job will be to cross the channel with zero emissions, traveling on the Green Corridors established between the continent and the UK. Antoon Van Coillie, Zulu Associates CEO, stated that the industry is witnessing an exciting time when "traditional concepts are being challenged." In other words, it's time for a new generation of totally different vessels that are equipped for green shipping.
The Anglo-Belgian Shipping Company is set to start operating the Zulu Mass as soon as 2025. In the meantime, the ship developer is currently discussing with energy providers. The future shipping vessel might include hydrogen as part of its green propulsion system, and foiling technology.
Conoship also designed an innovative sea-river coaster (3600 TDW cargo vessel) that is supposed to be future-proof, meaning that it's compatible with multiple green technologies. This ship will also combine hybrid propulsion with a modern system. Its diesel-electric system was designed to be compatible with the use of alternative fuels such as liquid hydrogen and ammonia. Plus, it will be fitted with two Econowind Ventifoils for harnessing the power of the wind.
This sea-river coaster designed by Conoship was described as an ultra-efficient ship that goes way beyond the current efficiency requirements for ships, as set up by IMO regulations. In the not-so-distant future, all commercial vessels will need to make changes in order to comply with these increasingly harsh standards on the path to emission-free shipping.
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