Huge kite is going to pull boat across the ocean!
Innovation at its best. This huge kite, a kite, will pull a boat across the ocean.
The time has come in January. Then a large boat will attach itself to a huge kite. It’s the first of its kind to attempt to reduce harmful carbon emissions from hauling gear around the high seas. Ships are one of the biggest polluters.
Kite on boat
There are many ships sailing back and forth to transport all kinds of things. And they emit a lot of emissions, as we know that is a big problem. About 80% of all goods in the world are transported by about 50,000 ships, which use a particularly dirty fuel. It is estimated that this cheap fuel is responsible for more than 2% of global carbon emissions and for 10% to 15% of the world’s sulfur oxide and nitrous oxide emissions. So not healthy.
That is why this kite was developed. The parafoil kite that will be used is made by a company called Airseas. It measures approximately 5,380 square feet (500 square meters) and will be attached to a vessel measuring 505 feet (154 meters) in length, called the Ville de Bordeaux. The vessel is a “roll on/roll off” vessel, which refers to the fact that these vessels usually carry movable cargo. This particular boat carries aircraft parts between France and the US.
To test
The testing will take approximately six months. If everything works, it will be used for the regular route. Airseas says it was “established out of the need to act urgently for our planet and the climate” and is “committed to providing all ships with the means to harness free and unlimited wind energy.” It is, of course, unlikely that the ship is only propelled forward by sails.
The Airseas kite is not intended to be the sole power source for ships. De Ville de Bordeaux will still use his engine. But the kite, which Airseas calls a Seawing, is intended to reduce fuel consumption during the trip.
