.jpg)
Maritime Journal -
Cargill Ocean Transportation has signed an agreement with SkySails GmbH & Co. KG (SkySails) to use wind power technology to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the shipping industry.
SkySails, based in Hamburg, has developed innovative, patented technology that uses a kite which flies ahead of the vessel and generates enough propulsion to reduce consumption of bunker fuel by up to 35% in ideal sailing conditions.
Next December Cargill will install the 320m2 kite on a handysize vessel of between 25,000 and 30,000 dwt, which the company has on long term charter, making it the largest vessel propelled by a kite in the world.
Cargill and SkySails aim to have the system fully operational in the first quarter of 2012. Cargill is currently helping SkySails develop and test the technology and has identified a shipowner supportive of environmental stewardship in the industry with whom it will partner on the project.
The SkySails kite will be connected to the ship by rope and is computer-controlled by an automatic pod to maximise the wind benefits. The kite functions at a height of between 100m to 420m and flies in a figure of eight formation. The SkySails System is automated and requires only minimal action by the crew.
An automatic control system steers the kite and adjusts its flight path. All information related to the system's operation is displayed on the monitor of the SkySails' workstation on the ship's bridge.
Posted via http://batavia08.posterous.com batavia08's posterous
No comments:
Post a Comment