Wind-Powered Tall Ships Are Once Again Important As Oil Prices Hurt Trade
Sometimes it takes an energy crisis to make us realize the value of old technology. As oil prices soar, tall wind-powered ships are looking like an increasingly viable alternative.
The first commercial cargo of French wine to be transported by sailboat in the modern era is due to arrive in Dublin this week after a six-day trip. The 108 year-old British boat, chartered by French shipping company Compagnie de Transport Maritime a la Voile (CMTV), is carrying 30,000 bottles of wine.
Though the ship travels at a top speed of eight knots— half the speed of a modern cargo vessel—it is completely pollution-free. The 50,000 other merchant ships traveling the world emit 800 million tons of carbon dioxide each year.
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The Kathleen & May spent most of its life transporting coal and clay. It was taken out of commercial service in 1960. Now it’s once again hard at work, as CMTV has contracted for 80 vineyard owners from southern France to carry their wine bottles to Ireland on the ship. The company is also working on another deal to bring Irish whiskey and scotch to France using the boat, and it eventually plans on building its own tall ships for transport.
CMTV may be on to something; according to the French Association of Shipowners, wind-powered boats could capture .5% of the commercial shipping market. This may not sound like much—until you consider that 90% of the world’s traded goods are transported via boat.
Tall ships may move a bit slower than fossil-fuel powered ships, but their minimal environmental impact could make them sea trade’s best hope for the future.
Actually the crew requirements for a square rigged ship are modest. Training is available globally.
But on the drawing borads and in some production are Wind Turbine driven Ships.
Just Google Wind Power ships
Nice looking picture. Looks like the Bounty, the Kaisei and the Eagle. I don’t recognize the vessel farthest to the right though.
There are a few other sailing ships that have similar programs. One of the most well known is the “Picton Castle”(www.picton-castle.com) out of Nova Scotia, Canada. She is a sail training vessel that carries cargo in her hold all over the world. She uses the money made to help offset the cost of the world voyages that she makes.
Love Tall Ships: Picture this: Cargo under sail !!! A bow thruster’s for in close Props for tight maneuvering all electric powered;by capturing wind!!! Its all right there And we can accomplish this, We just need to think and do…. We have this technology $$ 2 Build $$ 2 Maintain free fuel 2 operate!!! diesel ship coast $$ 2 build,$$ 2 Maintain $$4 fuel!!!
DAAAAAAAA
I think that the range and power of alternative technology are damaged by being over-hyped. People read a couple of statistics and suddenly are experts.
The fact of the tall ship being in service is fascinating — I would have liked to learn more about it. The speculation on carbon footprint impact is pure garbage and spoils the article.
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Ssiling does require less of a crew now, but still people have to eat whether at sea or on land. That was a foolish shot. Note that pollution only shows up in Cities where it is concentrated, (lots of cars) and less trees. Answer: Plant more trees in the cities. Trees handle Pollution. Note: none, or minimal pollution in outlying areas of the country. I won’t live in a town with more than one stop light. Too much polluting while doing a useless activity. Why do you think that wealthier towns pride themselves in lots of them. Note: The problems Mr. T ran into when he tried to clear his own land. Sailing crew and cost can be fun and limited by taking on volunteers for the lesser experience jobs. People would come on and do this just for the experience of it. The Bounty takes on Volunteers for differing periods of time. Oh, and Global Warming; ain’t happening. Don’t fall for it.
Sailing ships are not completely pollution free. They must be built, painted, maintained, repaired by people and tools that generate pollution in their manufacture and/or use.