Hypernauticalmiling? Ocean shipping slows down to save fuel

[MetroMPG]

Lumbering across the world's oceans at a leisurely pace, they seem relatively blameless compared with planes or lorries. But the role of cargo ships in exacerbating climate change is about to come under scrutiny. The solution? Slow down.

OK, they're only slowing slightly, but in response to fuel prices and GHG reduction goals ...

The world's biggest car shipper, Wilh. Wilhelmsen of Norway, has already asked customers to accept slower deliveries. Chief executive Ingar Skaug says that dropping average speeds of 18 to 19 knots by just two knots could save 5 per cent of fuel use and emissions alone.

Fitting that it's a car shipper.

Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/environmen...arbonemissions

[ebacherville]

5% on one of those ships is a HUGE fuel savings... those things have huge gas tanks..

I also read that some ships are launching parachutes to help assist there motivation.. pretty funny that whats old is new again.. sailing with wind power.. so is this a wind-diesel hybrid then?

[MetroMPG]

Yeah, I'd say it's fair to call a ship with a motor & sail/kite/parachute a hybrid.

Video: Skysails demonstrates supplementary kite power on diesel merchant ship

[cfg83]

MetroMPG -

I'd call it Hyperknotting.

CarloSW2

[MetroMPG]

Oooh, yes that's much better.

I've actually started hyperknotting the ICE in the sailboat. When conditions are calm enough that I can still keep steering control at low speeds, I'll glide into my harbour slip with the engine off, rather than coming in hot and reversing the prop to stop the boat.

And when the wind is just right, I'll sail into the slip and not use the ICE at all.