AsiaEnvironment

Su reveals another patent

Taipei: Serial shipping inventor and troubled shipowner, Nobu Su, the chairman of TMT, has registered a patent in the Republic of Liberia for a hybrid technology that he developed, and which enables a variety of vessels, including bulk carriers, tankers, PCTCs and LNG ships to enhance fuel consumption.

The innovation, known as Hybrid Ship, consists of a conventionally driven main propeller and an electrically driven duct propeller. The different sailing modes allow reduction in fuel consumption, particularly when a vessel is travelling with minimum ballast.

Su commented: “I believe that most of the patents pending will eventually be registered, as the technology complements the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Ballast Water Management Convention, which aims to control the ecological, economic and health problems resulting from the transfer of harmful aquatic organisms and pathogens via ballast water. With the Hybrid Ship technology, a vessel requires minimum ballast water, and therefore reduces the risk of transferring contaminated water from one location to another, which has already led to a severe damage to biodiversity.”

Sam Chambers

Starting out with the Informa Group in 2000 in Hong Kong, Sam Chambers became editor of Maritime Asia magazine as well as East Asia Editor for the world’s oldest newspaper, Lloyd’s List. In 2005 he pursued a freelance career and wrote for a variety of titles including taking on the role of Asia Editor at Seatrade magazine and China correspondent for Supply Chain Asia. His work has also appeared in The Economist, The New York Times, The Sunday Times and The International Herald Tribune.
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