Cargill has announced a “revolutionary” project to install sails on a ship. The company takes the innovative design of the Wind Wings metal sails quite seriously, which are set to change maritime transport. Currently, the first tests of the new device are being carried out.
Maritime transport accounts for about 2.1 percent. global carbon footprint, so a wide variety of companies are looking for ways to reduce their carbon footprint (and lower operating costs in the process). Sails can be the solution for container ships - historically this has been the standard of every ship for many centuries.
Container ships with sails could be the future
The shipping company Cargill decided to experiment with Wind Wings, special sails manufactured by the British company BAR Technologies. Metal structures are very different from classic canvas sails, but they have a very similar use - they catch the wind and allow the ship to move.
Container ships with sails still consume fuel and emit CO2, but the addition of impressive sails allows them to significantly reduce fuel consumption. It can reach 30%. less over the life of the ship. Cargill decided to put the technology to the test and installed a prototype sail on a standard contract vessel.
The first tests of Wind Wings - a sailing container ship is sent to Brazil
The Pyxis Ocean was equipped with two masts over 37 meters long. They are equipped with sails made from the same materials as strong wind turbines. Like classic designs, sails can be folded and unfolded depending on whether the ship is in port or out to sea.
Pyxis Ocean is currently on a route from China to Brazil to test sail performance over long distances and in changing weather. The journey is expected to take about six weeks. There are also BAR engineers on board who will have to carefully study the operation of Wind Wings sails. The information gathered will help the company correct any shortcomings and then make corrections before a wider commercial debut.
Source: Wprost
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