World’s First Hybrid Commercial Fishing Trawler

[LuckyLady]

Japan looks to hybrid technology for energy savings
Monday, 29 December 2008 11:00
A Japanese company has developed a hybrid commercial fishing trawler that reportedly uses up to a third less fuel than conventional fishing boats.

The prototype trawler, built by Tokyo-based Yamanaka, is part of a multimillion-dollar government-led effort to rescue Japan’s fishing industry from rising energy costs, according to a recent report in The New York Times.

The company says the United States and Europe are large potential markets for the hybrid technology, which switches between petroleum and electric-powered propulsion.

Click here for the complete report.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/26/bu...Maru%20&st=cse

[dwar9739]

Sounds good but its not a new concept...Ships have been using diesel electric motors since 1903 when 2 russian tankers were launched and became better known when they were used in submarines going back before WW1. So it is not a new idea, it may be updated and refined. And it may save oil...but i would still not call it eco friendly...