https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/back-future-car…
In theory, sails can reduce carbon emissions by 30%.
Cargil is a major grain trader and charters large numbers of ships to transport grain. They are headquartered in Minneapolis and one of the largest private corporations.
It’s been experimented with for decades but it has yet to catch on. I wonder what the snag is.
The Captain
I wonder what the snag is.
Wind can get a ship to its destination only if it’s blowing both hard enough, and in the right direction. You can’t go tacking a Suezmax container ship like an old frigate, and unless you scale the sail to ludicrous proportions, you’re not going to get to where you’re going quickly, either.
It’s been experimented with for decades but it has yet to catch on. I wonder what the snag is.
The sail greatly increases the work load on the crew, especially if they’re keeping it properly trimmed. I believe one operator solved this problem by giving the crew a substantial cut of any fuel savings, but no doubt that would stick in the craw of many “job creators”.
intercst