Though you might not know it, many of the items you buy and take for granted cross the oceans on huge cargo ships. Those ships are notoriously dirty and pollutive, using massive amounts of oil, and leaving trails of pollution in their wake.
Even though most industries have seen shifts towards cleaner transport, cargo vessels have been very slow to change. That may be starting to shift, with the introduction of the Oceanbird, a cargo ship with five massive, 80-meter blade-like sails that extend and retract out of the vessel.
When it sails for the first time in 2023, it will be the world’s biggest sailing vessel, able to carry over 7,000 cars. The 230-foot sails are able to retract in order for the huge ship to slip under bridges, or if it encounters rough seas.
Created by Swedish consortium SSPA, the Oceanbird is a hugely innovative undertaking, using an ancient technology in new ways to dramatically reduce pollution.
3 comments
Unfortunately you are dealing with half truths. No industry has been a greater target for the environment than the world’s merchant marine. You want your stuff but don’t want to pay the price. If you really want to make an impact put all the truck traffic on I 95 & I 5 aboard container ships burning ultra low sulfur diesel fuel and reduce the carbon footprint by 90%. Europeans do it, but try getting this past the Teamsters. Move gasoline cars to uls diesel which could happen now without the massive investment in electric infrastructure. Finally, get the EPA to visit reality. They demand emission standards on new built ship engines that haven’t even been invented. Demands are great but it always comes down who is going to pay the price. Whip worldwide shipowners all you want while demanding them to invent the impossible. Will this ship work and be cost effective? Look at the Savanna that I toured as a boy (nuclear) which was going to revolutionize shipping. That’s another story but a case in point.
We can imagine more large, eco-conscious companies demand this type of ship be used to transport goods. Apple, for instance, is going 100% carbon neutral, and will need and demand solutions like this. Here’s hoping!
This type of innovation only succeeds when governments lay down regulations for shipping.
Which they have not done yet.
So why should ship owners care?
This innovation is great, but increases the cost per transported ton cargo.
That cost is what matters in shipping competition