Addressing Water Scarcity using Repurposed Oil Carriers

Nitin Agarwala

doi:10.63095/NBSEH.26.980326

Authors

Capt (Dr.) Nitin Agarwala Visiting Lecturer, Naval War College, Verem, Goa, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.63095/NBSEH.26.980326

Keywords:

Water scarcity, Repurposed oil-carriers, Freshwater Backhauling

Abstract

Freshwater scarcity causes social, economic, political, and environmental unrest. With unequal freshwater distribution globally, trading of freshwater can be a possible solution. But water trade, unlike oil trade, is not a recognized market. It would require a water trading fleet. Repurposed oil carriers as a scalable, flexible solution could be a first step. Engineering modifications, special internal coatings, environmental considerations, and port loading and unloading infrastructure optimization are examined. Cost-benefit analysis of capital expenditure and operational expenditure towards fuel, logistics, transportation, and maintenance are discussed. These are considered against known desalination costs to determine geographical and distance-based thresholds where maritime transport becomes competitive. By bridging gaps between decommissioned maritime assets and acute freshwater deficits, the study provides a comprehensive framework for policy makers, marine engineers, and economists to enhance freshwater resilience using the existing global shipping capacity.

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