Asian-led firm wins maritime prize
A HYDROGEN-POWERED underwater transportation submarine system being developed by a company led by an Asian CEO has been named among the winners of the UK’s Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition.
Dhruv Boruah’s Oceanways won backing from the £23-million government-funded research and development (R&D) drive. Its fully-automated submarine fleet is powered entirely on green hydrogen and could help cleanse the oceans of toxic pollution by collecting microplastics on its pilot route between Glasgow and Belfast.
While transporting cargo shipments, the fleet could secure significant emission savings of 27 tonnes of carbon dioxide or CO2 emissions in the first year of operation. “We would like to thank our transport secretary, Grant Shapps MP, for selecting Oceanways to support the department for transport’s mission to decarbonise shipping and aid our prime minister’s commitment to building back better,” said Boruah, founder and CEO of Oceanways.
“Time is running out and it is imperative we don’t settle for 1 per cent more efficiency in an existing system, but instead, radically rethink to create innovative solutions,” he said last Wednesday (15).
The green submarines are expected to be in use across British waters by 2026 and help address freight traffic challenges, including a shortage of drivers.
Oceanways said it will be servicing short point-to-point routes with fast, zero-emission delivery. It claims the submarines are superior to a cargo ship in almost every way: “not only they are weather independent, can reach hard to reach areas and a lot cheaper to build and operate, but it’s also quieter, secure, more stable, and cleaner, with zero fumes or pollutants”.
“As a proud island nation built on our maritime prowess, it is only right we lead by example when it comes to decarbonising the sector and building back greener,” said Shapps, who unveiled the prizewinners during the London Shipping Week in Greenwich.
“The projects announced today showcase the best of British innovation, revolutionising existing technology and infrastructure to slash emissions, create jobs and get us another step closer to our decarbonisation targets,” he said.