Tomorrow Transformed

‘Vindskip’ cargo ship uses its hull as a giant sail

By Peter Shadbolt, for CNN
Updated 12:17 PM EST, Fri January 16, 2015
Lade AS's Vindskip concept is a hybrid merchant vessel designed for sustainable sea transport, driven by the wind and liquefied natural gas.
Lade AS's Vindskip concept is a hybrid merchant vessel designed for sustainable sea transport, driven by the wind and liquefied natural gas.
Courtesy of Lade AS
Lade AS claims the ship's airfoil shape will allow it to point up to 18 degrees into the wind, a vacuum on the side sheltered from the wind propelling the ship forward. Onboard computers will allow navigation based on optimum weather conditions, maximizing fuel efficiency. It's just one example of a new generation of renewable energy technology being used to power boats.
Lade AS claims the ship's airfoil shape will allow it to point up to 18 degrees into the wind, a vacuum on the side sheltered from the wind propelling the ship forward. Onboard computers will allow navigation based on optimum weather conditions, maximizing fuel efficiency. It's just one example of a new generation of renewable energy technology being used to power boats.
Lade AS
German company <a href="http://www.skysails.info/english/" target="_blank" target="_blank">Skysails </a>says its towing kites can reduce fuel costs and emissions for cargo ships. It says the kites can generate 25 times more thrust per square meter than conventional sails, and in good wind conditions can deliver the equivalent of 2,000 kW of propulsion.
German company Skysails says its towing kites can reduce fuel costs and emissions for cargo ships. It says the kites can generate 25 times more thrust per square meter than conventional sails, and in good wind conditions can deliver the equivalent of 2,000 kW of propulsion.
Skysails
Based in Australia, <a href="http://www.solarsailor.com/about/" target="_blank" target="_blank">Ocius Ocean Technology</a> claims its solar sails can save between 20-40% of fuel. Designed to work in winds of up to 44 knots, they track the movement of the sun for maximum sun exposure, and in the event of high winds, fold down against the boat.
Based in Australia, Ocius Ocean Technology claims its solar sails can save between 20-40% of fuel. Designed to work in winds of up to 44 knots, they track the movement of the sun for maximum sun exposure, and in the event of high winds, fold down against the boat.
Ocius Technology
Ocius' technology has been adapted to a variety of boats. Here, the "Suntech Solar Sailor" makes her maiden voyage.
Ocius' technology has been adapted to a variety of boats. Here, the "Suntech Solar Sailor" makes her maiden voyage.
Ocius Technology
30 meters long, MS Turanor has enough solar panels to cover two tennis courts. The Swiss vessel is the largest solar power catamaran in the world and the first of its kind to circumnavigate the planet.
30 meters long, MS Turanor has enough solar panels to cover two tennis courts. The Swiss vessel is the largest solar power catamaran in the world and the first of its kind to circumnavigate the planet.
PlanetSolar
MS Turanor tours regularly, and since circumnavigating the globe it beat its transatlantic record in 2013, crossing the ocean in a mere 22 days.
MS Turanor tours regularly, and since circumnavigating the globe it beat its transatlantic record in 2013, crossing the ocean in a mere 22 days.
Courtesy Thi Anh Dao Le
The E/V Orcelle, created by Norwegian designers <a href="http://www.2wglobal.com/" target="_blank" target="_blank">Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics</a>, is a zero-emissions concept, using fuel cells and wave power to generate electricity.
The E/V Orcelle, created by Norwegian designers Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics, is a zero-emissions concept, using fuel cells and wave power to generate electricity.
Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics
Designed as a cargo ship, its creators hope the concept will become a touchstone for future nautical engineering, and that elements of its radical design will be incorporated by shipbuilders over the coming years.
Designed as a cargo ship, its creators hope the concept will become a touchstone for future nautical engineering, and that elements of its radical design will be incorporated by shipbuilders over the coming years.
Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics
Green marine: The new wave of sustainable boats

Story highlights

A Norwegian design would use the high sides of a cargo ship as sails

The designers say it could save as much as 60% on fuel costs, 80% on CO2 emissions