Wind-assisted propulsion technologies, such as rigid sails, turbines, and spinning rotors, have the potential to revolutionize the cargo shipping industry by helping ships save fuel and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
A startup called CoFlow Jet is developing a new wind-driven system that aims to cut ship fuel costs by up to 90% using stationary cylinders with no moving parts, which can be lowered to allow ships to pass beneath bridges and navigate ports. This system has the potential to reduce fuel consumption by up to 50% on specific shipping routes.
The large stationary cylinders positioned on ship decks can generate thrust by pressurizing and ejecting air. These technologies have the potential to reduce ships' fuel use by 20-50% on specific shipping routes.
Historically, merchant ships with massive sails dominated commercial shipping. Nowadays, diesel-powered vessels emitting greenhouse gases are the rule. A growing number of ships are adopting wind-assisted propulsion technology.
The International Maritime Organization has set a goal for the shipping industry to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, and wind-assisted propulsion technology has the potential to help the industry achieve this goal. Rising fuel costs and government mandates are driving the exploration of more sustainable methods.
Sources: Interesting Engineering, 2oceansvibe, New Atlas, Newswise, Tech Xplore, Mirage News, Yale Climate Connections
This article was written in collaboration with Generative AI news company Alchemiq.
