US Navy First: Moving Cargo By Kite-Powered Ship
by Christine Lepisto, Berlin 
on 10. 8.08
image source: SkySails
In January of this year, the 132 meter (400 foot) Multi Purpose Heavy Lift Carrier MV Beluga SkySails set off on its maiden kite-powered trans-atlantic journey. Tugged along by 160 m2 of kite hovering 100 m (100 yards) over the ship's bow, the SkySails ship successfully completed its voyage in March. Now the MV Beluga SkySails is bound for the new world again: this time with U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force cargo loaded at three European ports. But is the military motivated by green, greenbacks or greenwashing?
The MV Beluga SkySails has been chartered by the U.S. Navy's Military Sealift Command (MSC). Use of the computer-controlled kite to assist the ship's diesel engines is expected to save 20-30% on fuel costs (or $1600 per day) over the course of the month-long transport. The MSC frequently charters commercial ships, but the October 2008 transport with a kite-powered ship is a first for the US Military.
Navy Motivated by Greenbacks not Green Acts
At Today in the Military, MSC contracting officer Kenneth Allen is attributed with claiming that the contract was awarded based on competitive bids and not due to the Beluga SkySail's wind-powered ecotechnology.
In the same article, Navy Capt. Nick Holman, commander of Sealift Logistics Command Europe, MSC's area command for Europe and Africa, also emphasizes the prioritization of cost: "MSC values innovation that leads to cost savings. We are proud to be collaborating with innovators in the commercial maritime world to provide our customers with efficient and quality service."
Hook 'em with Efficient, Land Eco-efficiency
Or are they wisely defensive because it would truly look like greenwashing for the Navy to claim ecological motivations? Or perhaps too shy to mess with the dipomatic complications of that small thrill which runs up their spines at the thought of coming closer to energy independence? Or even fearful that confessing the joy of once again plying the seas under canvas might carry a hint too much "Captain and Commander" about it?
At any rate, this certainly underlines a point that TreeHugger has often defended. Better design proves itself by bringing people over to green without playing on green intentions. And MV Beluga SkySails has entered the realm of competitive technologies in the transport sector. Welcome to the game, SkySails!
Thanks to tipster JT!
More on SkySails
Military.com
SkySails
Videos of Beluga Skysails Kite-Powered Cargo Ship
Cargo Ship with Kites: First Trans-Atlantic Trip a Success!
First Transatlantic Voyage of Kite-powered Ship
Go Fly a Kite (and Sail a Ship)
Beluga Group Signs Contract for Sky Sail Power
Sky Sails Promise Wind Energy for Fuel Reduction
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Hi,
This is indeed a very innovative technology. In this blog, you can find another video on this technology.
Eddy
I personally think it's really weird when people question other's motives for "going green". I mean, really, who cares about another's motives for making a decision that saves everyone?
I think it's a little crass and uppity.
There is a military aspect to this actually, if you can move a ship by sail it would not make engine noise that could be tracked by sonic sensors (hydrophones). A benefit if you need to reduce detectiong, especially from mines and subamarines.
The other dies also being that any additional power in an emergrency could mean additional speed. High winds can ship ships, why not look in to harnessing them to help you go faster.
The whole thing will probably get a green-wash tag eventually, but is there really a problem with that? Especially if they can prove that they are indeed reducing their carbon emisions by using alternative energy? Having the military invovled in the development of technology that can be applied back to the civilian world is not a bad thing in the long run. If it doesn't work consistantly, or is too expensive to maintain, military conditions will show it. They can then make it better or trash it.
-Lego
Here here Eddy De Clercq. Eco-snobs don't care about the environment as much as image.
I sat at a party and listened to some troll go on and on about how disengenous it was for people to consider themselves eco friendly when they take the minimal effort required to sort their garbage and recycle right at their curb. He had been recycling for fifteen years before curbside service!
Someone who cared a lot more about the environment than he did made it easy for the general public to start being eco friendly, and they wanted them to feel good about it. We should applaud all eco efforts. Eco snobbery runs counter to actual eco goals.