Maritime and maritime industry face a daunting challenge to decarbonise its fleets. In reality, a clear strategy has yet to emerge, despite vague and ambitious carbon-neutral targets for 2050 discussed at the latest International Maritime Organization gathering. That situation could change if a better alternative appears. Wind-powered sail technology, once seen as a distant possibility, is becoming a practical option. It has already moved from concept to real-world use, with ships now sailing under wind-assisted propulsion.
Recently, the Pyxis Ocean, an oil tanker owned by Cargill, completed its maiden voyage between China and Brazil, outfitted with a set of large sails spread across its main deck. These sails significantly cut gas emissions into the atmosphere.
Sails can be folded and unfolded and act as flexible surfaces. When the ship is in port, the sails stay folded; when at sea, they unfold to harness wind power. They do not render the ship independent of traditional fuels, but they can substantially reduce consumption. Each sail stands 37.5 meters tall and was manufactured in China, drawing on technology developed by the British firm BAR Technologies.
This reduction hovers around 30%. For the shipping company, this not only lowers emissions but also reduces fuel costs, with fuel purchases representing a major expense in the sector.
The director of BAR Technologies explained to the BBC that the confidence comes from the savings: roughly one and a half tons of fuel saved per day. Using four sails on a vessel can save about six metric tons of fuel daily, equivalent to a reduction of around 20 metric tons of CO2. The numbers are compelling.
Using four sails on a boat saves six tons of fuel per day
The shipping industry is on a decarbonization path: not simple, but promising. Jan Dieleman, president of the marine division at Cargill, stated in a note that the company has a responsibility to drive decarbonization solutions across supply chains to meet customer and planetary needs. Technologies like WindWings come with risk, yet as an industry leader, in collaboration with visionary shipowner Mitsubishi City, the company is not afraid to invest, take risks, and share lessons learned to help partners transition toward a more sustainable maritime future.
China and Spain are also part of this wave of innovation. The Pyxis Ocean is not the first vessel to sail with wind-assisted propulsion. Last year, the Chinese oil tanker New Aden was introduced, measuring 333 meters in length. It features two pairs of rigid sails, each standing about 40 meters high and spanning a total surface area of 1,200 square meters per sail.
This vessel reduced cruising-speed fuel consumption by about 9.8%, 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
The sails operate under intelligent control, enabling them to be raised with a single button press. The onboard computer can also automatically adjust the sails to optimize performance as conditions change.
Spain is another hub for such innovations. The ship Naumon, used as a traveling venue by a theatre company, has been repurposed into a floating artistic workshop. Launched in 1979 and transformed in 2020, this 62-meter vessel hosts performances while maintaining a visible wind-assisted sail near the bow. The sail, known as eSAIL, is developed by the Spanish company bound4blue and represents a wind-assisted propulsion system as part of the broader WAPS concept.
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