"Kite to pull ship across Atlantic"

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BBC

Kite to pull ship across Atlantic

The designers of the MS Beluga Skysails say the computer-controlled kite, measuring 160sq m (1,722sq ft), could cut fuel consumption by as much as 20%.

They also hope the state-of-the-art kite will help reduce carbon dioxide emissions, as it tugs the ship.

Fuel burnt by ships accounts for 4% of global CO2 emissions - twice as much as the aviation industry produces.

The MS Beluga SkySails' maiden transatlantic voyage is from the northern port of Bremerhaven to Guanta in Venezuela. The ship is expected to leave the German port at 1700 local time (1600 GMT).

The BBC's Steve Rosenberg, on board the vessel, says the computer will enable the kite to harness the full power of the wind.

"The maiden voyage marks the beginning of the practical testing during regular shipping operations of the SkySails System," says Stephan Wrage, managing director of SkySails GmbH.

"During the next few months we will finally be able to prove that our technology works in practice and significantly reduces fuel consumption and emissions," he said on the company's website.

Free energy

"We're absolutely excited," said Verena Frank, project manager at Beluga Shipping GmbH, SkySails GmbH's partner.

She told the BBC's World Today programme that the project's core concept was "using wind energy as auxiliary propulsion power and using wind as a free of charge energy".

"Nevertheless, it differs very much from traditional sailing, as we do not have any bothersome mast on deck which might be a hindrance to cargo-loading operations."

Ms Frank said the efficiency of the kite depended on wind and weather conditions.

But the advantage of the SkySails system "is that you do not need only backward winds - there can also be side winds and you can still set sail," she said.

She said the kite could be used on medium-size cargo ships, cruise liners and trawlers.

[Molyneux]

Heh...a partial return to the Age of Sail, perhaps?

[CaptainChewbacca]

I'm no engineer, but wouldn't it be easier to have a really big sail attached to the ship?

[Jadeite]

I'm no engineer, but wouldn't it be easier to have a really big sail attached to the ship?

"Nevertheless, it differs very much from traditional sailing, as we do not have any bothersome mast on deck which might be a hindrance to cargo-loading operations."

Ms Frank said the efficiency of the kite depended on wind and weather conditions.

But the advantage of the SkySails system "is that you do not need only backward winds - there can also be side winds and you can still set sail," she said.

[Molyneux]

I'm no engineer, but wouldn't it be easier to have a really big sail attached to the ship?

"Nevertheless, it differs very much from traditional sailing, as we do not have any bothersome mast on deck which might be a hindrance to cargo-loading operations."

Ms Frank said the efficiency of the kite depended on wind and weather conditions.

But the advantage of the SkySails system "is that you do not need only backward winds - there can also be side winds and you can still set sail," she said.

So it's essentially large-scale windsurfing. Cool.

[Zablorg]

Hehe, detatched sails!

[CaptainChewbacca]

Okay, I get it now. The sail isn't driving the boat, its reducing the drag of the boat on the water.

Awesome.

[Beowulf]

Okay, I get it now. The sail isn't driving the boat, its reducing the drag of the boat on the water.

Awesome.

It's still driving the ship, in part. But, it gets more force from the high velocity winds aloft, as well as the ship doesn't need a large, heavy mast which can pose problems in working the ship.