Sailing is probably one of the oldest technologies used to navigate seas and oceans. Using wind energy is a way to protect the Earth by reducing the carbon footprint. This is a problem that they have been trying to solve for some time now. Currently, they are testing a new way to propel boats by means of the wind. The Prixis Ocean is a modern cargo ship powered by sails that are similar to windmill blades.
Prixis Ocean
This is a cargo ship that has been fitted with giant rigid sails and has set sail on its first voyage. It has British technology and the giant sails called WindWings will help the freighter save fuel and prioritize care of the seas.
The Prixis Ocean, a ship of Chinese origin that is making its maiden voyage from China to Brazil. The aim is to test the sails of this new technology. This voyage not only marks the use of wind power in freighter shipping, but also highlights the effectiveness of this technology in powering shipping once again.
The rigid sails are 37.5 meters high and feature an ingenious folding design that is activated in port. They are constructed using the same high-strength materials used in the manufacture of wind turbines, ensuring durability and strength. Once the ship enters open water, these sails automatically unfurl to take full advantage of the wind’s energy.
Advantages offered by this cargo ship
The WindWings-equipped cargo ship can reduce its fuel consumption by up to 30%. Its structure is 229 meters long and weighs 43,000 tons. The Prixis Ocean cargo ship was designed with innovative sail technology developed by British firm Bar Technologies and produced in China. This voyage marks a significant milestone in the field of maritime navigation for many experts and enthusiasts.
By 2025, the makers of this innovation estimate that, half of all new ships will feature wind propulsion. By incorporating two sails, a daily fuel saving of one and a half tons is achieved. If increased to four sails, this saving is extended to six tons per day. This transition leads to a notable decrease in the carbon footprint, reducing up to 20 tons of CO₂.
For experts, this has a significant breakthrough. In this way, the movement of maritime cargoes worldwide could eventually reduce more than 830 million tons of CO₂ produced annually.
This technology opens up a possibility of being able to meet the July agreement on reducing global warming gases by 2050.
In addition, this action also helps to allow a longer research period for the advancement of more eco-friendly fuels, i.e., those that do not generate carbon emissions.
As scientific experts explore the opportunities offered by this type of sustainable fuel, the practice of sailing emerges as a viable alternative.
Although this mode of sailing is more leisurely in terms of speed, its value lies in environmental protection, which holds a role of utmost relevance today.
