MS Turanor PlanetSolar, the world’s largest solar-powered ship, has docked at Abu Dhabi Marina, near ADNEC (Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre) to help celebrate the World Future Energy Summit 2012, and to highlight the role solar energy is playing in energy sustainability.
PlanetSolar was visited by ADPC’s Vice President, Ports’ Unit, Captain Mohamed Al Shamisi, and Captain Jaber Al Shehhi, acting Harbour Master, Mina Zayed. The ship, measuring 100 feet by 50 feet, has been sailing 50,000 kilometres around the world since leaving Monaco in September, passing through the Panama Canal, the Philippines and Hong Kong. It has just been invited by ADPC to visit the flagship Khalifa Port which opens in Q4 this year.
Up to 25,000 people are expected to visit the Summit, which begins today, with many expected to visit the showpiece PlanetSolar. The ship is powered entirely by energy from the sun: it is hoped that the international shipping industry – which is responsible for 4.5% of greenhouse gas emissions – will follow the energy-saving lead set by Planet Solar.
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World Maritime News Staff, January 16, 2012; Image: ADPC