The 400-foot Beluga SkySails, the world's first cargo ship to use a SkySail, departed Newport, Wales, Oct. 5, 2008 following the first of three European port calls the ship will make loading U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force cargo for return to the United States.
The ship is under a Military Sealift Command charter.
MSC frequently charters U.S. and foreign-flagged commercial ships to move U.S. military supplies and equipment around the globe. However, chartering a modern, partially sail-powered cargo ship like Beluga Skysails is a first for DOD's ocean transportation agency.
The SkySail a giant, computer-controlled kite that can rise 100 yards into the air and uses wind power to help propel the ship during long ocean transits.
Developed by SkySails GmbH & Co. KG, Hamburg, Germany, the SkySails system has three main components: A towing kite with rope, a launch and recovery system, and a control system for automatic operation.
The has a shape comparable to that of a paraglider and can operate at altitudes between 100 and 300 m where stronger and more stable winds prevail.
Source: http://www.yourindustrynews.com/news_item.php?newsID=12122
2 comments:
I remember sometime in the 80's when NYK or K Line introduced cargo vessels with mechanical sails but I think it did not succeed due to some technical problems encountered. They also have engines but sails were used during open seas.
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