Q&A · 1:39:36-1:41:59

The difficult alternatives to bunker fuel

Cleaner merchant propulsion must overcome the energy demand, cost, storage, and operating requirements of ocean-going ships.

Question

Is there a long-term alternative to bunker fuel for shipping?

Short answer

Several options exist, but all bring substantial cost, storage, engineering, or workforce constraints.

Notes

Batteries become very large and expensive at ship scale, while hydrogen, methane, biodiesel, and gas each impose different production and handling costs. Small reactors are another possibility, but only if they can be operated safely by normal marine engineering organizations.