The modern maritime industry faces immense pressure to decarbonize, and many futuristic technologies—hydrogen fuel cells, LNG-powered solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs), onboard carbon capture, and rigid sails—have been promoted as potential solutions. They often appear compelling in concept presentations and conference discussions. However, when examined through the lens of real-world maritime operations, these systems reveal significant shortcomings.

現代海運業面臨極大的脫碳壓力,氫燃料電池、液化天然氣驅動的固體氧化物燃料電池 (SOFC)、船上碳捕捉與剛性帆等許多未來技術已為潛在解方。這些概念在演示及會議討論中往往看起來引人注目。然而,從海上實際作業的角度來看,這些系統暴露出顯著缺點。

Using the proposed Ponant–GTT–Bloom Energy expedition cruise vessel as a case study, this article argues that combining multiple advanced technologies into a single ship creates overwhelming complexity and operational risk. In contrast, simpler solutions such as biomethanol paired with incremental electrification offer a far more viable pathway for practical, scalable maritime decarbonization.

本文以 Ponant–GTT–Bloom Energy 擬建的探險郵輪作為案例研究,認為在一艘船上整合多種先進技術將會產生難以承受的系統複雜性與操作風險。相較之下,生質甲醇等更簡單的解方結合漸進式電氣化,反而為海上脫碳提供更具可行性與擴充性的途徑。

Maritime operations demand simplicity. Vessels must function reliably far from shore, subjected to constant vibration, corrosion, humidity, and unpredictable weather. Repairs must be performed by limited crew without access to specialized technicians or heavy equipment. Every cubic meter on a vessel must be optimized; space constraints affect fuel storage, machinery layout, safety corridors, and passenger or cargo capacity.

海上作業講求簡化。船隻必須在遠離海岸的環境運作,同時長期承受振動、腐蝕、濕氣與難以預測的天候。維修只能依靠有限人力,無法使用專業技術人員或重型設備。船上每一立方都必須有效運用;空間限制會影響燃料儲存、機艙配置、安全通道以及載客或載貨能力。

Given these conditions, successful maritime energy systems must be robust, compact, easy to maintain, certifiable, and compatible with global port infrastructure. Technologies that demand complex auxiliary systems or large spatial footprints face steep adoption barriers.

考量上述條件,成功的海事能源系統必須堅固、緊湊、易於維護、可通過認證,並相容於全球港口基礎設施。需要複雜輔助系統或占地面積大的技術在採用上將面臨極大阻力。

The Ponant/GTT/Bloom concept attempts to integrate four demanding systems: LNG-fed SOFCs, hydrogen fuel cells, onboard CCS, and rigid sails. While each technology poses its own challenges, their combination magnifies risk.

Ponant/GTT/Bloom 的概念設計試圖整合四項要求嚴苛的系統:液化天然氣供應的 SOFC、氫燃料電池、船上 CCS 與剛性帆。每種技術都有各自的挑戰,整合更會放大風險。

LNG-fed SOFCs operate at ~800°C and require heavy insulation, ventilation, and thermal management. Their bulky modules offer limited power output and are unproven in maritime environments.

液化天然氣供應的 SOFC 在約 800°C 下運作,需要大量隔熱、通風與熱管理。其模組體積龐大且輸出功率有限,且尚未在海事環境獲得驗證。

Hydrogen systems add low volumetric energy density, complex safety requirements, and the need to operate two separate propulsion ecosystems simultaneously.

氫能系統體積能量密度低、安全要求繁複,船舶需要同時維持兩套獨立推進系統。

Onboard carbon capture remains experimental, with massive space requirements, energy penalties, and limited port infrastructure to receive captured CO₂.

船上碳捕捉仍屬實驗性質,需要大量空間、高額能耗,同時能接收碳捕捉的港口設施亦相當有限。

Rigid sails offer inconsistent wind benefits and complicate vessel layout, maintenance, and port operations.

剛性帆的風力效益不穩定,並使船舶配置、維護及港口作業更加複雜。

Together, these technologies form a vessel that shipyards have never built, classification societies have never certified, insurers may reject, and ports cannot support.

綜上,這些技術組合最終構成的船舶造船廠從未建造過、船級社從未認證過、保險公司可能拒保、港口也無法支援。

By contrast, biomethanol offers a practical solution. It is a room‑temperature liquid fuel compatible with existing marine engines, requires minimal bunkering adaptation, and presents manageable safety considerations. Major engine manufacturers already supply methanol-capable systems, and global shipping lines are adopting them rapidly.

相較之下,生質甲醇提供實用的解決方案。這是一種兼容現有船用引擎的室溫儲存液體燃料,只需稍微調整加油方式,安全管理也相對可控。主要引擎製造商已能提供甲醇燃料系統,全球航運公司也正快速導入。

Incremental electrification further supports decarbonization. Batteries enhance efficiency by handling hotel loads, peak shaving, and low-speed maneuvers. They integrate cleanly into vessel architecture and fit the pace at which ports are expanding charging infrastructure.

漸進式電氣化進一步強化脫碳成效。電池可承擔艙內負載、削峰與低速操船來提高運轉效率。其能順利整合至船舶架構,符合港口擴建充電基礎設施的速度。

In conclusion, maritime decarbonization will succeed only when solutions are certifiable, maintainable, insurable, scalable, and compatible with worldwide port operations. Simple fuels like biomethanol, supported by hybrid electrification, fulfill these requirements. Multi‑layered systems such as LNG-SOFC + hydrogen + CCS + sails, although innovative, are unlikely to survive real-world maritime constraints. The future of shipping favors practical, not overly complex, technological pathways.

總之,當解決方案取得認證、易於維護、可投保、可擴充並相容於全球港口作業時,海上脫碳才會成功。混合電氣化的生質甲醇等單純燃料恰好滿足上述需求。多重技術系統堆疊,如 LNG-SOFC + hydrogen + CCS + sails,雖具創新性,但難以經得起實際海事條件限制。航運的未來將偏重實務,而非過度複雜的技術路徑。