this post was submitted on 14 Oct 2024
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I don't know about all of you, but I know I wouldn't want to cross oceans without a good engine.
Storms are not cool. Not being in the age of sail anymore seems good.
I don't think this is about what's powering the ships but rather their cargo.
But at least the ships need a non-renewable source. And they are going to need some of it in every country they visit. How do we get oil to every country if not by ship? That's a lot of pipelines if we go that route. But maybe that is the answer.
Why would they? Seems like a solveable problem to me, most likely via green H2, but also with big ass batteries (most likely for shorter ranges at first).
We have to reach net 0 come what may, so there will have to be clean power in any port they visit at some point.
Nuclear submarines already exist. Why not use that technology for shipping purposes?
But the point of this meme is that by reducing our use of coal and oil on land, our need for those ships would also dwindle.
Why would you pick a submarine for civil purposes? Just use a "normal" freighter and "slap" nuclear power on it.
(Ignoring the glaring issues from nuclear power on land that would be exacerbated at sea)
Ok maybe I wasn’t clear enough. That’s exactly what I meant. The nuclear technology, not the submarine technology.
What are the glaring issues?
Ships can register any nation as their flag state, so they often choose flags of convenience based on whoever has the lowest fees or regulations -- or more insidiously, whoever has the least ability to hold companies accountable.
This is why so many shipping companies register in Liberia, Panama, and the Marshall Islands. Also Mongolia, which is landlocked.
So unless we want to fill the oceans and ports with ships that have nuclear reactors with no regulation, no safety measures, and no accountability, we're gonna have to fix the last hundred years of international maritime law.
Well, let’s hop to it!
The big thing is that ports need to learn how to handle and refuel nuclear material. It's all possible, but not a small task. The ports won't want to do it until there are ships that need it, and the ships won't want to do it until there are ports that can handle it.
You say that, but modern sail concepts are a thing and are already in place as hybrid shipping solutions. Boats require a LOT of energy to do their thing, so any savings translates to big numbers.
https://cinea.ec.europa.eu/news-events/news/new-wind-powered-cargo-ship-sets-sail-2023-08-22_en
Yes, I'm only bothered by the notion that we should ask sailors to start faffing with sails again. It was harder and more dangerous. It's a good addition, but relying on it seems not worth it when we've gotten past it.
I've personally raised sails at sea, it's not that hard. But going up into the mast, especially when the weather starts getting serious, is not something sailors should have to do again if they they don't have to. It's practically more suitable as an extreme sport. Human lives were just worth less back then.
But having them as efficiency assists, maybe even just sailing with the engine as a backup, that would be great.