Article written by Ekrem Akcay – 24th March 2025, ORCİD: 0009-0000-8428-0051
Ekrem Akcay has worked for many years as Sales Manager and Project Leader in the Tuzla/Yalova shipyard region, which is home to most of the shipyards in Turkey and employs approximately 50,000 workers. These shipyards are involved in the production and maintenance of military, commercial, autonomous, and electric vessels. As a project leader, he took the initiative in projects carried out with occupational safety experts, working intensively to protect workers, ensure workplace security, and reduce workplace accidents through an engineering perspective.
To enhance the safety of gas pipelines used in shipyards and prevent potential gas leaks, Akcay led a comprehensive project focusing on the development of innovative engineering solutions such as gas backfire and safety valves. This project provided a significant transformation in terms of occupational health and safety, resulting in a noticeable reduction in accident rates in the shipyards.
Although Ekrem Akcay spent most of his 20-year engineering career in heavy industry sectors, his sensitivity to environmental dependencies, passion for nature, and dedication to occupational health and safety have led him to make important contributions to the industry.
He has been actively involved in sustainability and environmental projects. As a mechanical engineer for the Akcaabat Municipality, he participated in a project coordinated by UNESCO to improve wastewater management in coastal cities. His work focused on promoting efficient wastewater treatment practices that protect ecosystems and allow the reuse of water, thus improving public health.
Ekrem Akcay has been recognized for his outstanding work with authorizations from municipalities and private sector institutions, earning numerous awards in these fields.
Green Shipping: The Role of Electric Ships
Global climate change is one of the most critical challenges of the 21st century, and renewable energy sources provide an effective solution to this issue. Solar and wind energy are essential not only for electricity generation but also offer promising alternatives for the transportation sector.
Over 80% of global trade by volume is conducted through maritime shipping. The growing scale of global trade has led to a significant increase in the number of ships operating on the world’s oceans. According to a study by the European Parliament, maritime traffic could account for nearly one-fifth of global CO2 emissions by 2050.
Electric ships present a groundbreaking opportunity to reconsider international transportation. These vessels produce zero emissions, reduce carbon footprints, and mitigate the negative effects on marine ecosystems.
Traditional ships are powered by high-powered diesel engines that burn fossil fuels, resulting in increased exhaust emissions and air pollution. Additionally, the noise generated by these engines and diesel-electric generators has a detrimental impact on marine life and the well-being of crew members. In contrast, electric propulsion systems operate more quietly, significantly reducing noise pollution.
As next-generation solutions, electric ships are positioned to play a vital role in the transportation sector in the near future. Furthermore, the integration of autonomous systems with these vessels can reduce the risks associated with human error, offering additional benefits.
Technological advancements are making fully electric operations increasingly feasible. With the continued improvement of battery technology, better-equipped ports, and the development of infrastructure such as onshore power facilities, offshore wind farms, and floating charging stations, longer voyages will soon become more viable.
Reducing noise in the oceans equates to fostering marine life. This eco-friendly approach involves transitioning from fossil fuel-based energy systems to renewable energy sources, which is crucial for combating climate change and protecting marine ecosystems.
In conclusion, governments, ports, and international organizations must support this green transformation by developing policies that mandate emission reductions and sustainability measures. Promoting the use of next-generation electric ships will be key to achieving a sustainable maritime future.
