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CNN
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A large red freighter named Pixis Ocean set off on its maiden voyage this month. But unlike most other vehicles to date, this vehicle is partially powered by wind power.
Chartered by US shipping company Cargill, the ship will be retrofitted with two WindWings, large 37.5-meter (123-foot) high steel sails designed by British company BAR Technologies and manufactured by industrialization partner Yara Marine Technologies. It is
The wing is expected to reduce emissions by up to 30%. Developers say the savings would be even greater if used in combination with alternative fuels.
The voyage, which began in China and is now heading to Brazil, will put that skill to the test.
The shipping industry emits more than 1 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide each year, almost 3% Human-caused global emissions. The unit pledged in July to reduce pollution from global warming to virtually zero by “2050 or so.” Harnessing wind power is one way to do that. While it’s not a new concept (the history of sailing ships predates him more than 5,000 years ago), new wind-assisted propulsion technologies have been developed. It has appeared in recent years.
Giant kite and rotor technology has been tried on freighters to reduce their dependence on diesel. However, according to International Windship AssociationCurrently, there are only about 20 large merchant ships with wind propulsion in service.
Entrance to Cargill, one of the world’s largest agricultural traders 225 million tons It may affect the increase of goods every year.
BAR Technologies CEO John Cooper told CNN about the company’s participation. He’s been an integral part of building WindWings’ momentum. “They lead the way and other people respectfully watch what they do,” he says.
One of the main benefits of the WindWings project, co-funded by the European Union, is the ability to provide retrofit solutions that help reduce the carbon footprint of existing vessels. According to Cargill, 55% of the world’s cargo fleet is within nine years of his being in service.
Wings not only help reduce ship emissions, but also help ship owners meet new environments. Industry rules for energy efficiencyCargill says it saves money by reducing fuel consumption. According to the company, on an average global route, WindWings saves him 1.5 tonnes of fuel per day per wing, and potentially even more on transoceanic routes. The company notes that this can be even more important when using eco-friendly products. Future fuels (such as ammonia and methanol) are expected to become more expensive.
Experts say that for wind-assisted technology to become widespread, its cost must match the fuel savings it provides.
WindWings are made of a steel and glass composite and can be folded on deck to avoid collisions before a ship enters port or passes under a bridge. These were attached to Pixis Ocean in Shanghai, where they were loaded with fuel and officially launched before the ship headed for Singapore.
The performance of the wing is carefully monitored along the route so that the design can be improved before it goes into mass production.
Cooper said BAR Technologies is already working on other deals, including a vessel chartered by Vail that will be equipped with four WindWings and scheduled to depart from Shanghai in September.
“We look forward to supporting the global shipping industry in its transition to greener and cleaner propulsion and design,” he said.