Link: https://maritime-executive.com/article/first-multipurpose-cargo-vessel-installs-wind-assisted-propulsion

The global shipping industry is witnessing a significant increase in the number of cargo ships deploying wind-assisted propulsion as part of efforts to cut down on energy consumption and emissions. The industry is now pushing the boundaries as the first multipurpose cargo vessel was fitted with wind-assisted propulsion.

Spanish wind propulsion company bound4blue announced that it has completed the installation of its eSail suction sail on the Na Hiro E Pae, a newbuild multipurpose vessel that will provide vital transport links between Tahiti and the remote Austral Islands. The 292-foot (89-meter) vessel was fitted with a 22-meter (72-foot) tall sail, becoming the first known multipurpose vessel worldwide to adopt a wind propulsion system.

also see https://www.offshore-energy.biz/bureau-veritas-approves-uk-firms-wind-assisted-propulsion-technology/

nah it sucks

Return to the age of sail!

The technology is as old as civilization. Why the fuck did it take this long to use it on the high seas again?

This is weirder than a traditional sail, but point taken.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=olPaVFneoTc

Basically because sails don't scale for large ships (and large ships have less drag per volume due to the cube-square law, so shipping is less expensive - not to mention the crew requirements grow more slowly), and (traditional sails) also interfere with cranes for shipping containers, and they also take money and take up cargo space, while saving money on fuel which has traditionally been fairly cheap.

It's coming back because essentially 1) climate/sulfur emissions are starting to be enforced, and 2) battery-electric shipping makes it make more sense. See this amazing article on battery cargo ships (it doesn't mention sails tho).

Republic of the Bees would love this