‘Going green with kite power’

Greener sea transport
is on the cards for BBC
Chartering following the
signing of a cooperation
agreement with the
Hamburg-based company
SkySails.
This will see the
German multipurpose
and heavy lift operator
running its multipurpose
vessel BBC SkySails with
a wind propulsion system
that uses a kite to deliver
engine load relief.
According to
Svend Andersen,
managing director of
BBC Chartering, this
innovative service
allows the company
to measurably reduce
its emissions while it
also shows the extent
of the technological
developments under way
that will have the potential
to innovate and influence
the future of shipping.
Andersen said the
9 821 dwt vessel had
been fitted with the latest
prototype of the SkySails
auxiliary wind propulsion
system that used a kite
with a surface measuring
320sqm. It can deliver an
engine load relief of up to
2 000 kW at favourable
wind conditions.