Vindskip: Wind-powered Containership Concept
The Vindskip, designed by Lade AS, comes to rescue and bring wind power back into action. It uses a hull designed to act as a so-called airfoil, or giant sail.
The Oslo-based company, the makers of the wind-powered hybrid merchant ship, said that while engines are still needed, their design could achieve fuel savings of 60% while reducing emissions by 80%
Futuristic concepts for containerships powered by windmill-powered propellers have been in vogue for some time, especially after the studies revealed that shipping accounts for around 3% of global CO2 emissions.
A Norwegian engineer has designed a radical new cargo ship with a hull so large it acts as the sails of old. Named Vindskip, the hull on the concept would act as a so-called giant airfoil to harness power from the wind and lift and propel the ship forward, while onboard software would constantly monitor weather forecasts to choose the best course possible.
It's the brainchild of Terje Lade, who used his skills as a speed sailor to develop his aerodynamic design. He says the futuristic container ship works more like an airplane than a conventional sailing ship.
It sounds cool, but this could work only if backed up by sophisticated weather mapping software in order to calculate the ship’s best route, which is doable in a very close future.