Sailing ships with a new twist

摘要

In the first half of the 19th century, ships began to adopt steam engines, first alongside and then instead of sails. Today, wind propulsion is for sportsmen and romantics, not shipping firms trying to make money. But the high price of oil and stricter pollution regulations are strong forces working to turn back the clock. Wind propulsion is coming back in a new form: kites, not sails. Next year, SkySails, a German firm based in Hamburg, will begin outfitting cargo ships with massive kites designed to tug vessels and reduce their diesel consumption. The firm estimates that these kites will reduce fuel consumption by about one-third-a big saving, given that fuel accounts for about 60% of shipping costs.