New largest kite propelled vessel

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.

‘For some time, we have been searching for a project that can help drive environmental best practice within the shipping industry and see this as a meaningful first step, said G.J. van den Akker, head of Cargill’s ocean transportation business. ‘The shipping industry currently supports 90% of the world’s international physical trade. In a world of finite resources, environmental stewardship makes good business sense. As one of the world’s largest charterers of dry bulk freight, we take this commitment extremely seriously. In addition to lowering greenhouse gas emissions, the SkySails technology aims to significantly reduce fuel consumption and costs. We are very impressed with the technology and see its installation on one of our chartered ships as the first part of an ongoing, long term partnership.’

According to an IMO study, up to 100m tons of carbon dioxide could be saved every year by the broad application of the SkySails’ technology on the world merchant fleet. This figure would equate to 11% of the CO2 emissions of Germany.