Wind challenger, the new ecological strategy for maritime transport

 It is difficult to think of international trade without ships as the main means of transporting supplies, whether raw materials or food. Transport vessels handle around 77% of the European Union's foreign trade and 35% of intra-community trade, according to figures collected by the European environment agency. Unfortunately the volume of pollution they cause is approximately 13.5% of all greenhouse gas emissions generated by the transport sector in the European Union.

There are already movements to reduce that emissions, there are those who decide to bet on electric ships and those who seek new options to take advantage of the great ally of marine traffic: The wind, either going back to the old sailboats or with new technology to help make the most of its momentum.

A few days ago the port of Newcastle, in Australia, received on its inaugural trip to the ShoFu Maru, the first branque ship of the world that works in part thanks to the boost of wind energy. The ship, with a record of 100,422 tons (TN) of weight, is owned by the Japanese shipping Mitsui Osk Lines. The ship is powered by the wind challenger system, a rigid telesails that harness the power of the wind to power the ship. The installation of the system reduces the amount of fuel used for its operation, the structure is made of fiberglass and can reach a height of 55 meters, which made it easier for the ship to take care of the mission it had entrusted: the transport of coal.

The system allows merchants to significantly reduce fuel consumption and emit about 5% to 8% less greenhouse gases. The port of Newcastle estimates that the rigid sail will reduce harmful emissions of shofu maru on its trip between Japan and Australia by around 5%.

The Japanese shipping company would not consider staying only on shofu maru's experience. In August the company announced plans to equip second bulk carrier with the wind challenger system that will be dedicated to the movement of wood pellets. The lead time is 2024.

This invention is just one step towards better ecological alternatives for commercial shipping in order to reduce the carbon footprint.