The leader of ocean transport at Cargill champions wind power in marine shipping, highlighting its complementary role with other sustainable fuels in ongoing decarburization initiatives. 

Jan Dieleman

Jan Dieleman has urged the shipping industry to consider wind power as a serious solution in its decarburization efforts. Addressing the reluctance of some ship owners, Dieleman commented, “We have an industry that has been focusing solely on the zero-carbon fuels for a long time.” He stressed that many in the industry underestimate the potential of wind power as reported by the Financial Times.

PREVIOUS ENDEAVORS AND CURRENT DEVELOPMENTS

In 2011, a collaboration with SkySails aimed to fit a sail on the Aghia Marina cargo ship but faced challenges. Recently, a vessel owned by Japan’s Mitsubishi, equipped with two 37.5 meters-high sails, is set to make its maiden voyage from Brazil to Denmark.

"IT'S A PROOF OF CONCEPT"

Dieleman acknowledged that the initial investment in wind-powered ships might not yield immediate profits. He said, “Are we going to get our money back on this one? I don’t think so... It’s a proof of concept.” Yet, he emphasized that alternatives like green methanol or ammonia are up to four times costlier than traditional fuels, highlighting the potential cost-saving role wind power might play alongside other green fuels.

GLOBAL PUSH FOR WIND POWER

Last year, a collective proposal to the UN’s International Maritime Organization (IMO) from countries including France and Spain promoted wind propulsion systems as “ready, sufficiently mature and available” to aid in emission reductions. However, experts warn that the application of wind power is limited, especially for large vessels and certain routes.

Tristan Smith, from University College London, observed that while sails are “generally viable”, they might not be practical for container ships or less wind-favorable routes. Environmental advocates also emphasize the need for stronger regulatory incentives for green tech investments in shipping.

SHIPPING INDUSTRY'S DECARBONIZATION GOALS

Amidst calls for decarburization, the IMO set a target for net zero emissions "by or around" 2050. Some critics argue that the goal allows too much flexibility, potentially slowing down the decarburization process. Cargill aims to decrease emissions in its supply chain by 30% come 2030, viewing wind power as a component of the broader solution. Dieleman stated, “If the industry’s not going to do anything different than today, we’re just not going to get there.”