SKYSAILS: WIND POWER PROVIDES REAL SAVINGS

Up to 35 percent Reductions in Fuel Use and CO2 Emissions with Skysail

Humans have used wind-power to travel across seas and oceans for millennia and it formed the basis of international trade right up until the invention of the steamship. Now, German company SkySails has added a 21st Century twist to the concept, with their kite-like super sails. The Skysail uses the very powerful high altitude winds (between 100 – 420 metres high) to pull large cargo ships across the sea. They can be fitted to a variety of vessels and possess a light weight, super strong tow rope made using Dyneema, the world’s strongest fiber.

The kite sail flies in a figure of eight pattern to achieve the optimal amount of wind. With a good wind behind it, the Skysail is capable of generating a pulling force greater than the thrust of an Airbus A321 engine. This leads to a reduction in fuel use and related CO2 emissions of up to 35 percent for an average cargo ship. These reductions will no doubt make the Skysail very attractive to ship owners and operators, who control 90 percent of world trade.