UK Chamber of Shipping chief executive Bob Sanguinetti called for greater efforts in tackling climate change during a visit to Wightlink in Portsmouth, which operates a hybrid ferry in the Solent.
The Victoria of Wight entered service in August 2018 as the first hybrid ferry in England, and its hybrid system allows it to operate on electric power during certain conditions. Fuel savings of 17% have been recorded in comparison to the St Clare, the next-largest ship operating the same route.
Bob Sanguinetti commented, “At the UK Chamber of Shipping we are determined to do all we can to help tackle climate change. I wanted to see for myself how this great ship was doing its bit to reduce carbon emissions. If shipping is to tackle climate change, we need to see greater use of hybrid technology and I want to see more hybrid ferries being developed and used across the UK and the wider world.”
The UK Chamber of Shipping has called for a new ‘Green Industrial Revolution’ in the UK following the launch of the Maritime 2050 strategy and Clean Maritime Plan, setting out specific targets such as all new ships trading in UK waters to be designed with zero-emission capabilities.