maritime and maritime industry World It faces a huge challenge to decarbonise its fleets. In reality, there is no very clear strategy, despite vague (and difficult to achieve) carbon neutrality targets for 2050 outlined at the last meeting of the International Maritime Organization this year. That is, until a better alternative is found. candles as an impulse method looks like an increasingly viable option. Of course, these are not traditional candles, but the result of cutting-edge technology. They have already moved from the drawing board to practical use. There are ships that go with them.
Recently, the oil tanker Pyxis Ocean, owned by the shipping company Cargill, made its maiden voyage between China and Brazil, equipped with a set of giant sails installed on the ship’s large deck. significantly reduces gas emissions to the atmosphere.
When the ship is in port these sails (essentially adjustable panels made of the same material as wind turbines) remain folded, but when sailing offshore they unfold and make the most of the power of the wind. Like this, They don’t eliminate the dependence on fossil fuels that move the ship, but they significantly reduce it.. Each sail is 37.5 meters high and made in China, but the technology they used came from British company BAR Technologies.
This reduction is around 30%. According to the shipping company, this not only represents a saving in emissions released into the atmosphere, but also an economic saving, since the purchase of fuel is one of the main expenses of the industry in the sector.
The director of BAR Technologies put it clearly in his statements to the BBC: “The reason I have so much confidence is the savings achieved: one and a half tons of fuel per day. Using four sails on a boat saves six tonnes of fuel per day, equivalent to a reduction of 20 tonnes of CO2. The numbers are impressive.”
Using four sails on a boat saves six tons of fuel per day
“The shipping industry is on the path to decarbonization: not easy, but exciting,” Jan Dieleman, president of the marine division, said in a note published by Cargill. “At Cargill, we have a responsibility to drive decarbonization solutions across our supply chains to meet the needs of our customers and the planet. Technologies like WindWings are not without risk, and as an industry leader, in collaboration with visionary shipowner Mitsubishi Corporation, We are not afraid to invest, take risks and be transparent “With what we have learned, we are helping our partners transition to maritime towards a more sustainable future,” Dielman says in the presentation note of the new technology ship.
China and also Spain
However, the Pyxis Ocean ship is not the first ship to sail with this new technology. Last year, the launch of the Chinese oil tanker New Aden took place. total length 333 meters. In this case it is a real sea monster, which also decided to equip two pairs of rigid sails. Each of them is 40 meters high and the total surface area (each) is 1,200 square meters.
In this case, the boat traveling at cruising speed consumption was reduced by 9.8%, thus preventing more than 2,900 tons of CO2 emissions.
Each sail is controlled by a smart system and can be raised with a simple button.
Each of the sails is controlled by an intelligent system that allows these structures to be raised with a simple button. The onboard computer also automatically redirects the sails when necessary.
But Spain is also the scene of such innovations. ‘Naumon’ is the name of the ship on which the theater company works Fura dels Baus Traveling shows are held on this old ship, which has been converted into an artistic factory. This is not the only feature of this The 62-meter-long ship was launched in 1979 and was transformed for its new functions in 2020.
And it has a visibly stiff sail near the bow, which attracts the attention of those unaware of the true nature of this vertical contraption. This sail, called eSAIL, spanish company bound4blue and a wind-assisted propulsion system (WAPS in English).
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