Ships don't run on coal.
They have, and if oil is really running out as rapidly as you think it is, they probably will again. You can use wind, but realistically its probably only going to be a supplement to reduce fuel use, not the sole power for the ships. No one wants to go back to the age of sail, and I don't think we will. Solar, or charging up electrical ships in port doesn't work so well. Nuclear is an option. Its been tried on a small scale (small for civilian ships, its more common in warships) before and was abandoned because its much cheaper to go with bunker oil, or diesel, but if your visions of those sources future is correct, nuclear starts becoming cost effective.
Also even with high bunker oil cost (high as in the highest its been, not necessary stratospheric levels), coal isn't all that expensive to move. Ship transport is relatively cheap for bulk goods, that can be delivered slowly. |
