Revival of wind-powered cargo ships to reduce carbon emissions

Since the ancient times, sailing has played a significant role in the development of civilizations as people navigated oceans to settle in new areas or engage in trade. However, the steam engine and later the internal combustion engine led to the decline of sailboats on the ocean. While some are still used today for recreational purposes, such as yachting. Sails are now making a resurgence in the global cargo shipping industry, where they have not been in use since the late 1800s. In a welcomed and significant move, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) pledged in 2018 to reduce shipping emissions by 50% by 2050. Currently, the shipping industry produces one billion tons of carbon dioxide, accounting for nearly 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions.

Shipping companies are presently investing in wind propulsion technology, with MOL, a Japanese bulk carrier, operating a vessel named the Wind Challenger, which relies on wind assistance. Cargill, a US food industry giant, is collaborating with Olympic sailor Ben Ainslie to introduce WindWings on its shipping routes. Wallenius, a Swedish shipping firm, is targeting a reduction in emissions of up to 90% by using the Oceanbird, a 200-meter-long ship that can transport 7,000 cars. Meanwhile, Zephyr & Boree, a French start-up, has created the Canopee, a 120-meter-long ship that will transport components of the Ariane 6 rocket belonging to the European Space Agency to French Guiana later this year.

The utilization of wind power can lessen the demand for fossil fuels and other alternative sources of energy, thereby prolonging our limited carbon allowance. The adoption of alternative fuels necessitates significant investment and infrastructure, but wind energy is abundant and doesn't require any costs. According to simulations, sails can generate 10% to 90% of a ship's required power, even if it has to transport more than 200,000 tons of cargo.