Sails as wings of ship

 Hi there!

This article will focus on the use of sails to power a ship. From the very beginning of shipping the principle way for propelling a ship was wind. The wind applied thrust on the sails and in return the sails powered the ship to move. But after the invention of engine the shipping shifted to them but still in some places sailing is done for leisure and as sport.

Now many shipping companies and enthusiasts are coming up to the option of using sail for wind propulsion of ships, reason being the need of decarbonisation of the emissions. There is practically no emissions because nothing is burnt whatsoever in this type of propulsion. 

Challenges 

The small ships can be powered by small sails but when it comes to mega ships they need sails high up to 95 m. This high sail restricts the movements under the bridge and also hinders the port operations. Also it can cause problem in the storing the cargo. 

SOLUTION 

For this problem many organizations like French shipyard Chantiers de l'Atlantique are coming up with ideas of retractable sails, which will be a composite made sail by carbon and steel. These sails will also be able to tilt and rotate to harness power from air. The tilting ability will help it to be able to pass under the bridges. This technology is called Solid Sail/AeolDrive.

Image credits:    cruiseindustrynews.com/

This concept will provide us ability to save fuels and reduce the emissions up to 50 percent. One of the ships under consideration is Oceanbird a transatlantic car carrier which will use sails fir propulsion and is still thought upon. 

This revolution in shipping will provide us the ability to propel our ships without any filthy emission. 

Hope this article satisfy and inform about the sailing in modern world.

"Dwelling in dream kills the present."

Thank you !