Solar Cargo Vessels Maiden Voyage

M/V AURIGA LEADER, an solar auto carrier capable of transporting 6,400 cars leaves Kobe, Japan on maiden voyage.

The world’s first cargo ship partly propelled by solar was developed by Nippon Yusen K (NYK) and Nippon Oil Corp. The M/V AURIGA LEADER is equipped with 328 solar panels and will initially work for Toyota Motor Corp.

The ship was built to reduce fuel cost and set standard for carbon emissions in the shipping industry. The project was conceived before the global economic crisis, which has forced automakers to drastically cut production as sales dwindle.

NYK officials said the 60,213-ton, 660-foot vessel (200-metre) AURIGA LEADER is the first large commercial vessel in the world to use a solar-based propulsion system. In the past, solar energy has been limited to supporting lighting and crew’s living quarters.

The solar power system can generate 40 kilowatts, which would initially cover only 0.2% of the ship’s energy consumption for propulsion, but company officials said they hoped to raise the ratio. Nippon Yusen, Japan’s largest shipping company, has set a goal of halving its fuel consumption and carbon-dioxide emissions by 2010.