SRINAGAR, India : A lack of snowfall has led to empty ski resorts and holiday cancellations in the Indian Himalayas, with scientists linking the “unusual” winter to the El Nino weather phenomenon. The dry spell in Kashmir has pushed skiers to skip the popular resort of Gulmarg, one of theContinue Reading
SHANGHAI: China’s average temperature in 2023 was its hottest since records began, state media said citing officials on Tuesday (Jan 2), capping a year of extreme weather events for the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases. The record-setting temperatures were part of an unprecedented series of extreme events last yearContinue Reading
DHAKA: A thick layer of toxic smog wreathed Bangladesh’s capital of Dhaka on Wednesday (Dec 27) as the air quality index plummeted into the “hazardous” category, while similar conditions prevailed in New Delhi, the capital of neighbouring India. The air quality in Dhaka, one of the world’s most crowded citiesContinue Reading
Moderate pollution is forecast until Friday in Yinchuan, which was shrouded in grey, photos from China News Service showed, with a chance of severe pollution on Thursday. The city sought to slow or even stop industrial production, and strengthen pollution controls for key industries such as power stations and petrochemical,Continue Reading
NEW DELHI: Flight and rail services in India’s capital city of New Delhi were disrupted on Tuesday (Dec 26) morning as a thick layer of fog enveloped the region, reducing visibility to barely 50m in some areas. “Very dense fog” was observed in the city, where the temperature was justContinue Reading
BEIJING: China – grappling with one of its coldest Decembers on record – will likely have to brace for another round of scorching heat and an increase in extreme weather next year due to the El Nino weather phenomenon, a senior climate expert said. This year has seen China lurchContinue Reading
However, the warmer weather may fluctuate due to interspersing cold air, CCTV said, advising the public need heed forecasts and dress accordingly. Eastern province Shandong’s observatory warned on Friday of temperatures as low as -20 degrees Celsius in some mountainous areas in the province’s northwest. This week, China’s north includingContinue Reading
In the southwest, sections of many national and provincial highways in Tibetan cities such as Shigatse and Nyingchi were blocked due to snow, ice and low visibility as the skies have dumped snow since Monday. The local government has mobilised 2,400 personnel, more than 3,300 metric tonnes of snow meltingContinue Reading
In the southwest, sections of many national and provincial highways in Tibetan cities such as Shigatse and Nyingchi were blocked due to snow, ice and low visibility as the skies have dumped snow since Monday. The local government has mobilised 2,400 personnel, more than 3,300 metric tons of snow-melting agent,Continue Reading
However, Mr Seiji Saeki, senior managing director at Japan Marine Industry Association, noted that gasoline remains the most practical way of generating power for boats currently.
Nevertheless, Japanese marine engine manufacturers are turning their attention to greening the industry as it continues to expand.
Maritime trade is expected to grow 2.4 per cent in 2023 and more than 2 per cent between 2024 and 2028, according to the UNCTAD report.
Yamaha and Honda are focusing their efforts on developing electric parts while Suzuki is attempting to clean up the environment with its outboard motor that can collect micro plastic waste, said Mr Saeki.
However, challenges remain in electrifying motor boats, which requires a large battery and takes 10 times more energy than electrifying vehicles that travel on land.
These batteries could also take up much space in an already confined area, especially on small boats. Another issue is that electrified boats have yet to be able to sail as fast as their fuel-guzzling counterparts.
Aside from electrification, experiments with other sources of energy are also taking place.
Yamaha Motor’s Mr Ibata said these include hydrogen engines, electro-fuel and hybrid projects that his firm is examining together with automotive maker Toyota for both land and sea use.