As ports and coastal operators electrify their fleets, attention is often drawn to charging infrastructure and power systems. Yet, for electric and hybrid vessels, some of the most important advances are happening in the mechanical systems below deck. Industrial bearings – the components that keep shafts turning and motors running smoothly – are taking on new importance in the race to decarbonise maritime transport.
According to the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the global fleet must cut emissions by 30 per cent by 2030 and reach net zero by 2050. To meet these goals, shipbuilders are investing heavily in hybrid propulsion, battery energy storage and electric drive systems.
Read the full article in DPA's March 2026 issue