Wind Assisted Cargo Ships

[nigel1]

The Norwegian Terje Lade has revealed plans for a wind assisted cargo ship.
Concept is based on designing the hull as a sail foil.

More on the story here
Norwegian "Wind Ship" Design Promises 60% Bunker Savings*»*Ship & Bunker

and

Lade AS

[Jim Cate]

Interesting ideas there! One wonders if the gains are really that much in real life, but it would be cool if they were.

Cheers,

JIm

[Sailmonkey]

I just can't see the gains in economy as the wind often doesn't blow or comes on the nose.

[DotDun]

Originally Posted by Sailmonkey

I just can't see the gains in economy as the wind often doesn't blow or comes on the nose.

Don't tell these guys....

SkySails GmbH*-*Home

[Tellus]

This vessel is driven by wind and tested on sea - it works.
E-Ship 1 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Unfurtunately actually it is docked: Diesel engines are down.
japanese quality products....

[valhalla360]

It says the ship will travel at 14kts and adjust course to maximize wind power.

So compared to a supertanker running at 20kts taking the shortest route, you are looking at twice the travel time compared to what is by far the most efficent form of bulk transport known to man.

[Krogensailor]

How does one reef such a beast?