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Wind power helps cargo ship save fuel

Diesel engines, gas turbines and nuclear reactors have propelled U.S. ships around the world for decades. They were joined Saturday by an unlikely power source — a kite.

The cargo ship Beluga SkySails, under charter from the Military Sealift Command, sailed from Newport, Wales, in the United Kingdom, partially powered by a “sky sail,” a giant kite that uses the wind to help pull the 400-foot container ship. The Beluga is the first ship using the novel sail technology to operate under a charter from MSC.

Video

See the system in action (YouTube)

The ship has traditional diesel engines, but its computer-controlled sky sail lessens their work and reduces fuel costs by up to 30 percent, or about $1,600 per day, according to a Navy spokeswoman. The sail flies about 600 feet above the ship, where winds are steadier and more powerful than on the surface. It can deploy and retract in about 20 minutes.

The kite itself wasn’t a factor in the decision to award the charter for this cruise, said MSC spokeswoman Laura Seal, but the savings in fuel costs may have contributed to the Beluga’s winning bid.

“MSC values innovation that leads to cost savings,” said Navy Capt. Nick Holman, commander of Sealift Logistics Command Europe, MSC’s area command for Europe and Africa. “We are proud to be collaborating with innovators in the commercial maritime world to provide our customers with efficient and quality service.”

The Beluga is set to make three European stops to pick up a total of 211 Army and Air Force cargo containers and transport them to the U.S., according to MSC documents.