Motorsport technology to help clean up marine

Each branch of the transport industry is facing a period of intense disruption. From emissions legislation to the digital revolution, all are working hard to implement technology-based solutions to help create a cleaner world. In the maritime sector, the recently launched Clean Maritime Plan laid down pretty ambitious plans for zero-emission capabilities for new boats and shipping from 2025(i).

Shipping accounts for the transport of around 90 per cent of global trade(ii) but produces some 2.5 per cent of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions(iii)  and trends show shipping emissions could increase by 50 to 250 per cent by 2050(iii). The International Maritime Organisation is committed to reduce GHGs from international shipping by 50 per cent by 2050(iv).

A vital part of that story is immediately affecting the UK’s very successful £billion ‘super yacht, leisure and small commercial’ marine industry. The Motorsport Industry Association (MIA) and British Marine - the industry body representing this sector - have recently agreed to collaborate to help overcome some of the challenges ahead.

Today, at Britain’s biggest festival of boating – the Southampton International Boat Show – the two organisations are hosting an event to encourage energy-efficient technology transfer. This Show is the pinnacle event in the UK marine industry, making it the perfect platform to forge and develop new cross-sector strategic partnerships.

In meeting demands to develop electric powertrains and significantly more efficient, cleaner internal combustion engines for cars, the UK’s motorsport industry is very well placed to provide technical guidance to the marine industry. Motorsport is often the test bed for pioneering automotive technologies. Encouraged by forward-thinking rule sets, some of the world’s best engineers produce  innovative technologies against the backdrop of fierce competition. For example, Formula One’s Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS) was developed to capture and re-use energy from braking to recharge on-board batteries – now a common feature of modern hybrid and electric vehicles.

This knowledge could benefit the marine plans for low emission, cleaner propulsion systems, and include alternative fuels. MIA motorsport engineering members are already starting to work with marine companies. Energy-efficient motorsport (EEMS) and the successful work of our members on low-emission powertrains makes for valuable collaborations.

The response at Southampton has been very positive and opens up a truly exciting period for both industries. The MIA and British Marine will be at the centre of these activities and help our respective members grasp the opportunities on offer.

Chris Aylett, CEO of the Motorsport Industry Association (MIA)

i, https://www.ukchamberofshipping.com/latest/clean-maritime-plan/
ii. https://www.globalmaritimeforum.org/content/2018/10/Global-Maritime-Issues-Monitor-2018.pdf
iii. http://www.imo.org/en/OurWork/Environment/PollutionPrevention/AirPollution/Pages/Greenhouse-Gas-Studies-2014.aspx
iv.  https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/clean-maritime-plan