"Helping to develop viable means of propulsion for shipping in a post-carbon economy is a strategic objective for SMMI, and the B9 concept offers a viable alternative that we will be seeking to support at every opportunity,'' said Kevin Forshaw, Industry Liaison for the newly formed Southampton Marine and Maritime Institute (SMMI) at the University of Southampton

The design of the world's first 100 per cent fossil fuel free sailing cargo ships is already underway, and is being developed by B9 Shipping, part of the B9 Energy group of companies, which has started work on a full-scale demonstration vessel validating the engineering and economic assumptions of the initial vessel design. The testing program will undertake tow tank and wind tunnel research to identify a basic hull design and how it interacts with the dyna-rig system.

"We're combining proven technologies in a novel way to develop 'ready-to-go' future-proof and 100 per cent fossil fuel free ships. This approach means financial investment and crucially, garnering support and furthering understanding with the shipping sector," explained Diane Gilpin, Director of B9 Shipping.

Source: University of Southampton