NewScientist has a quick report on a reversion … so to speak:
The world’s largest sailing cargo ship is making its maiden voyage across the Atlantic Ocean. It left a port in France in early August, and it is on track to deliver 1000 tonnes of cognac and champagne to New York City by 3 September. Its shipments have a carbon footprint one tenth that of a standard container ship.
“For centuries we knew wind was abundant [over] the deep sea, and we had the pilot charts,” says Guillaume Le Grand, CEO of TOWT, the French company that commissioned the 81-metre-long ship, named Anemos. “But now, thanks to satellite communication and routing technology, wind is also predictable, which makes it a reliable source of propulsion.”
Notice how the question of capacity is overlooked. Are container ships shipping more or less product? And does it make sense to measure in units, since fixed costs may vary greatly between the types?
What about risk?
Also, I’m not sure I’d agree that predictability makes for a reliable source of propulsion. On the other hand, as the Earth retains more and more energy, we may see more and stronger winds. And if they don’t blow?
When primarily relying on wind power, the ship [named Anemos] can reach speeds of more than 19 kilometres per hour [9.3MPH] – and it could potentially sail faster in stronger conditions such as the North Atlantic trade winds, says Le Grand. For backup propulsion, the ship uses two diesel-electric engines.
Still, it is exciting to see something that appears to be progress on carbon reduction in the shipping business.
