Towing kites as additional propulsion for cargo ships

October 30, 2008

Oil as propellant, presents the main operating cost in maritime shipping. Use of towing kites as supplemental propulsion with diesel-powered engine, can low down fuel consumption, consequently decrease fuel costs and rise up shipper’s profit.

No sail system has been able to meet the requirements of today's maritime shipping industry until now. For the first time, SkySails is offering a wind propulsion system based on large towing kites, which meets all these requirements. Depending on the prevailing wind conditions, a ship’s average annual fuel costs can be reduced by 10 to 35% by using the SkySails-System. Under optimal wind conditions, fuel consumption can temporarily be cut by up to 50%. It depends also on the weight of the ship.

Fish trawlers and super yachts of over 30 meters in length can be also outfitted with the SkySails auxiliary wind propulsion system as well.

Ecological benefit

Lower fuel consumption means lower emissions and less environmental pollution. Obviously, it is smarter to reduce emissions by reducing fuel consumption, and this is exactly the solution the SkySails-System offers. Shipping companies thus benefit in two ways: they reduce emissions and their operating costs at the same time.