Electricity is also termed power; and it is exactly that. Electricity is the true lifeline behind all development, infrastructure and civilizational growth. Electricity was never truly invented since it is a natural phenomenon. The understanding and application started way back in 600BC. From there to building the first power plant (thermal) took about 2450 years. It was the innovation of Alternating Current (AC) that determined the worth of electricity for humankind. The world has changed since. In several rural parts of the developing countries, electricity is still not something one takes for granted.
70% of the world’s useable electricity is generated by Thermal power plants that are powered by Oil, Coal, Gas, geothermal or nuclear reactors. Ships have played and continue to play a key role in movement of liquid hydrocarbons (oil and gas) and thermal Coal. Ships carry crude oil to refineries and the fuel thereafter to various parts of the world for power generation. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), the total global coal trade reached an all-time high of 1.55 billion tons in 2024, with the majority (92-94%) transported by sea. This volume is projected to decline in 2025 and 2026 with emphasis on transition to cleaner fuels.
91% of the world has access to electricity (as of 2024). So, you can imagine how much work has been done to empower the world. All growth and development of electrification of the world has always been enabled and catalyzed by Ships. Ships continue to play a major role in the transformation to clean energy and renewables. Think about it, humanity daringly attempted to rapidly empower the whole world just by relying on the ships to carry the necessary fuels to the power plants all over the globe.
Capt Pappu Sastry/ CEO – ASL
