TLDR · SCIENCE & FUTURISTIC TECHNOLOGY

A CARGO SHIP’S ‘WINDWING’ SAILS SAVED IT UP TO 12 TONS OF FUEL PER DAY

popsci.com3 min read

Summary from the TLDR newsletter

The Pyxis Ocean MC Shipping Kamsarmax vessel features a pair of 123-feet-tall solid 'wings' on top of its deck to harness wind power for propulsion assistance. After six months of operation, results from its journeys show that the technology offers a promising way to reduce existing vessels' emissions. The ship reportedly saved an average of 3.3 tons of fuel each day - it saved over 12 tons a day during optimal weather conditions. One potential issue with the adoption of the technology is the extra 125 feet of height added by the wings as they could complicate docking in many locations.