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In short
SkySails is a German-based company that provides giant kites for shipping companies willing to rely more on wind navigation. Their "SkySail?", the emblematic 5000 square-meter sail, can trail large cargoes and reduce fuel consumption more than 15%.
Wind surfing
The SkySailStephan Wrage, inventor turned founder of SkySails GmbH? & Co. KG, told he loves flying kites and found sailing rather slow. "I thought the enormous power in kites could somehow be utilised." His "SkySail" is a match-up design. It was built by combining a paraglider-shaped sail and a "smart" central steerage unit. At ideal weather conditions, the antique propulsion can pull large ships up to 16 knots, and significantly reduce their fuel consumption.
Emerging technique
As of now, the sail isn't suitable for all ships. Due to the uniqueness of the steerage unit, it cannot equip all ship models, and requires its own engineer on board. As a new concept, SkySail is still expensive to install with a price tag of between between 500,000 euros and 2.5 million euros ($660,000 - $3.3 million).
External links
- SkySails profile in Cocolico
- SkySails in CNN
- SkySails in Club of Pioneers
- SkySails Baptising of the ship and interview with Stefan Wrage (in German)