Japanese shipowner Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) announced its intent to invest in Carnot Ltd., a startup company that develops technology for highly efficient engines using heat-resistant materials. This project has been led by MOL(Europe Africa).
Carnot is the only company selected for the fourth consecutive year for the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition, co-sponsored by the U.K. Government’s Department for Transport and U.K. Research and Innovation, to support initiatives on decarbonization in the maritime sector.
Steel and aluminum engines require constant cooling to prevent them from overheating, which reduces performance and increases the risk of engine failure. Therefore, about 30% of an engine’s combustion energy is consumed for cooling. Carnot is developing engine technology that eliminates energy loss during the cooling process and dramatically increases thermal efficiency and fuel efficiency by using highly heat-resistant materials. The engine now under development by Carnot, has the potential to improve fuel efficiency by 20%-40% compared to conventional engines.
Based on the results of demonstration tests and the feasibility of this technology, MOL will consider applying it to its fleet of merchant vessels in the future.
MOL Group has placed initiatives to address sustainability issues at the core of its “BLUE ACTION 2035” management plan, aiming to achieve sustainable growth that contributes to social issues and addresses environmental issues. Through its investment in Carnot, the group aims not only to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and pursue economic efficiency in its operated vessels, but also to contribute to GHG reductions in the shipping industry and other industries that rely on internal combustion engines.