Sailing cargo ship Pyxis Ocean makes 1st voyage from China to Brazil

A Bar and Cargill teamed up in a test to find out whether sailing ships can be used again for long journeys and, in this way, avoid pollution from burning fossil fuels. The sails of the sailing cargo ship Pyxis Ocean they are 37,5 meters high and there is an estimated saving of 1,5 tons of fuel per day for each of the sails. Check the details right now.

WindWings sails offer 30% fuel savings

The sails, made of fiberglass (the same material used in the famous turbines that generate wind energy), act as a support for the engines using wind energy, just like the vessels that existed before the invention of the steamboat. A Bar, manufacturer of these items, confirms that the accessories were developed with a focus on avoiding carbon emissions and, by putting 4 sails on the same boat, there is a reduction of 20 tons of CO2 per day.

If the test is successfully completed and the cargo ship really delivers a significant reduction compared to a traditional model, a major problem will be solved: globally, traditional maritime transport has a 3% contribution (about 837 million tons of CO2 per year) on the greenhouse effect, a greater contribution than air transport.

The big problem with ship transport is that most of these means of transport were developed to run on diesel oil. There are alternatives such as hydrogen and even batteries, but they are still considered unfeasible.

The sailing cargo ship Pyxis Ocean was co-funded by the program Horizon da European Union, and the company Cargill, which carries out the charter, said that the trip should last six weeks, leaving China and coming to Brazil. This is the first time that sails of this size have been flown to full size and tested on an actual voyage. the candles of Pyxis Ocean will be closely analyzed so that, later, the development of new technologies can be carried out on a large scale.

Wind is an almost marginal and free fuel and the opportunity to reduce emissions, along with significant efficiency gains in ship operating costs, is substantial.

 John Cooper, CEO of Project Contributor, BAR Technologies

Pyxis Ocean test could change shipping

Worldwide, there are about 111 vessels that use sails as a way to avoid using traditional fuels. If the ship Pyxis Ocean really successful in its journey, it is expected that more companies invest in this market that is still in its infancy at a slow pace. The full-scale test could lead to an even greater carbon footprint reduction as the voyage progresses and weather conditions lend themselves to more wind.

Ultimately, we need zero-carbon fuels on every ship, but in the meantime, making every voyage as cost-effective as possible is essential.

Simon Bullock, a navigation researcher at the University of Manchester.

Other similar initiatives

Company oceanbird prepares an even bigger sailing cargo ship model: the car transporter is expected to Wallenius Tirana have sails 40 meters high and 200 metric tons. OceanBird expects this investment to reduce emissions by 10%, saving around 675.000 liters of diesel per year.

Brazil already has a company using this technology: OK made use of rotating sails on a ship to transport ore. There was an 8% reduction in fuel use. Looking further abroad, other companies such as Michelin, from France, are choosing to use the inflatable sail model and that helps in reducing the use of fossil fuels by 20%.

A MOL, which is based in China, will put a ship to sea with a rigid telescopic sail in August 2023. Returning to Europe, the Naos Design, which is in Italy, already plans to put wing sails (similar to what we see on canoes) on no fewer than eight ships.

Finally, the Norwegian cruise line Hurtigruten unveiled a concept of its first zero-carbon ship. The project states that it will be powered by battery and solar energy and complemented by three 40-meter sails, these covered by solar panels. The first trip is scheduled for 2030.

In addition to sailing, which should once again be a trend in the nautical navigation market, it is also expected that all options that help to slow down global warming. Companies are working with experts to learn how to popularize:

• kites;
• Suction wings that have fans and rotating cylinders (which are called Flettner rotors);

The maritime industry is on a journey to decarbonize – it's not easy, but it's exciting.

Jan Bieleman, president of Cargill's shipping business.

Do you believe that sails can be a good alternative in maritime transport through wind energy? Tell us us Comment!

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With information: The Next Web l Popular Science l Reuters

reviewed by Glaucon Vital in 22 / 8 / 23.