news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7201887.stm
The world's first commercial cargo ship partially powered by a giant kite is setting sail from Germany to Venezuela.
The designers of the MS Beluga Skysails say the computer-controlled kite, measuring 160sq m (1,722sq ft), could cut fuel consumption by as much as 20%.
They also hope the state-of-the-art kite will help reduce carbon dioxide emissions, as it tugs the ship.
Fuel burnt by ships accounts for 4% of global CO2 emissions - twice as much as the aviation industry produces.
The MS Beluga SkySails' maiden transatlantic voyage is from the northern port of Bremerhaven to Guanta in Venezuela. The ship is expected to leave the German port at 1700 local time (1600 GMT).
The BBC's Steve Rosenberg, on board the vessel, says the computer will enable the kite to harness the full power of the wind.
"The maiden voyage marks the beginning of the practical testing during regular shipping operations of the SkySails System," says Stephan Wrage, managing director of SkySails GmbH.
"During the next few months we will finally be able to prove that our technology works in practice and significantly reduces fuel consumption and emissions," he said on the company's website.
Free energy
"We're absolutely excited," said Verena Frank, project manager at Beluga Shipping GmbH, SkySails GmbH's partner.
She told the BBC's World Today programme that the project's core concept was "using wind energy as auxiliary propulsion power and using wind as a free of charge energy".
"Nevertheless, it differs very much from traditional sailing, as we do not have any bothersome mast on deck which might be a hindrance to cargo-loading operations."
Ms Frank said the efficiency of the kite depended on wind and weather conditions.
But the advantage of the SkySails system "is that you do not need only backward winds - there can also be side winds and you can still set sail," she said.
She said the kite could be used on medium-size cargo ships, cruise liners and trawlers.
This should be reposted in the "General" forum. I think that it's interesting to us sailors with masts too.
But isn't the kite a bit small? I understand they're planning to double it, but what does your average 70-80kg kiter use in 15-20 knots? How is such a small kite going to help a several thousand tonne vessel skim across the ocean?
I wanna see what happens when they put that puppy right through the middle of the power window with a kiteloop trown in.... in 45 knts YYEEEHARRR!! 
kapitan neils comment is on the money, something about hanging the cabin boy naked under the kite by his ankles for stealing rations.
I have a 12ft cat not quiet an ocean liner, but have lots of fun kiting with it. Nine metere fuel is a good sized kite and have oversteered by accident past 12, pulled my girlfriend and I and both hulls out of the water.
Should have reached to the back of the boat and done a rudder grab lol Pitty there are not more cats out there kiting too.
where did you attach the kite to the boat? I was about to do it with our cat but couldn't work it out :D.
When I have done it it has been sub kitesurf winds .We didn't attach to the boat but had it attched to us .To get going we would sit further forward on the tramp and then move towards the stern once we were going .With the venom we were able to fly the kite and steer the boat .Not sure if this is a great idea in stronger winds doing it solo .
"The kite is controlled by computers. One computer helps it to fly in figures of eight in the sky - maximising the power it produces. Another computer adjusts the kite's direction."
"The kite can be used in winds of 12-74km/h (7-40 knots)"
Well looks as though it is in the power window... maybe they will add the loop in later models
I wonder what happens if one of the computers crashes!! hate to be trying to do a water launch with that baby off a cargo ship at full speed! Might turn into a massive sea anchor.
I think it will definately take off if it works, and the system lasts a while. Remember 90k is the price for the prototype. If they get into mass production they will be significantly cheaper.
I read that it will save around $1600 a day of fuel in good wind (or 25% of the ships fuel). That only requires around 56 days of good wind it pays for itself.
skiddz said...
where did you attach the kite to the boat? I was about to do it with our cat but couldn't work it out :D.
I rigged a rope up in the shape of an upside down Y from the middle of the front of the tramp to the back two corners of the tramp. At the tail of the Y, near the front of the tramp I placed a number of loops in the rope which I then attched a carabena too and used to hook the kite up too. I aslo attached the 5th line or safety leash to the rope as well.
Bow kites are easier to use than c-shaped kites. Also in the middle of the tramp a fully stocked esky should be ropped down 
