Electric ships

News of a Japanese electric-powered oil tanker set green-hearts fluttering around the world. Electric marine craft will likely be a big thing in coastal markets but not in the long-haul trades.

Dutch company, Port Liner, has an innovative solution, introducing an autonomous electric barge for the European market beginning in Q3 of 2018.

Following on the footsteps of its European counterpart, Daimler Trucks North America will begin shipping 3D printed parts under a pilot program. Daimler’s Mercedes-Benz unit started a similar pilot in Europe last year.