Story at a glance
- A massive kite will be deployed from a ship carrier transporting aircraft parts earlier next year.
- The kite, Seawing, generates 10 times more traction power than a static sail and can reduce emissions by an average of 20 percent, according to its developer.
- More than 80 percent of all goods traded globally are transported via shipping carriers, which account for nearly 3 percent of anthropogenic carbon dioxide emissions.
Beginning early next year, the Ville de Bordeaux, a massive ship carrier transporting aircraft parts for Airbus, will launch a 500 square-meter kite from its helm to use wind power on a journey across the Atlantic Ocean.
The kite, Seawing, will be subjected to six months of testing before its full deployment, according to ShipInsight. Flying on a figure-eight trajectory at more than 100 kilometers per hour, Seawing generates 10 times more traction power than a static sail and can reduce emissions and fuel consumption by an average of 20 percent, according to Airseas, its developer.
Designed by former Airbus engineers, Seawing uses digital twin and automation technology, meaning it can be deployed, operated and stored with just the push of a button. Seawing also uses an automated flight control system to harness wind power on the open seas and can be installed on ships of any size, according to Airseas.
The Seawing system also includes a route optimization algorithm, developed by Maxsea, to map the most energy efficient routes according to weather forecasts while sticking to the planned arrival time.
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Airseas’ full-size Seawing is a 1,000 square-meter parafoil flying at an altitude of 300 meters.
“A decade ago, we embarked on the ambitious project of channeling our unique aviation expertise towards creating a cleaner and more sustainable shipping industry,” Airseas CEO and co-founder Vincent Bernatets said in a statement.
“Given the urgency of the climate crisis, the world needs to see a drastic reduction in carbon emissions now. In shipping, we can achieve this by using the full set of tools we have available to us today. Wind propulsion is one of these and will play an essential role in helping shipping achieve its much-needed decarbonization transition,” he said.
More than 80 percent of all goods traded globally are transported via shipping carriers, which account for nearly 3 percent of anthropogenic carbon dioxide emissions.
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