If the world’s shipping fleet was a country, it would be the world’s sixth leading emitter of greenhouse gases, according to Turners Shipping Far East route development manager, Samson Nip. “In an effort to reduce those emissions, and also to conserve expensive fossil fuels, cargo ship designers are now turning to the oldest source of power there is – the wind,” says Nip. “In the future we may once again see cargo ships sporting masts and sails. And while there will never be a return to sailing ships, designers are planning on using the power of the wind to supplement the ship’s engine.” Several prototypes are being tested. Wind-powered technology however faces a steep development curve before the industry will be ready to embrace it, says Nip. While it is not practical for large vessels like container ships, which sail faster than 15 knots and need their deck space for cargo, it is well suited for smaller, slowermoving ships in the 3000- to-10 000-tonne range. Such ships account for 10 000 vessels, one-fifth of the world’s total cargo ships.
Shipping industry looks to wind power
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