Monday 13 March 2023

Set sail and cut carbon!

Scientists are experimenting with new hi-tech sails that could see ships move without using as much fuel; cutting their carbon emissions.

Scottish company Smart Green Shipping has designed 20-metre-tall fold back sails for large vessels.

Southampton University scientists have started testing whether these would be a realistic solution to reducing the carbon emissions of the shipping industry.

Many ships run on fossil fuels – and aside from the introduction of green fuels like hydrogen, reducing fuel use is considered the other key means to cutting environmental damage.

Dr Joseph Banks from the university, said: “This is an exciting project at Southampton, because the technology can be fitted to ships already sailing – and can quickly cut carbon emissions to create quieter, greener ships that do no harm to the ocean.”

Smart Green Shipping’s CEO Diane Gilpin believes the sails might be “the fastest way for ships to cut fuel consumption and emissions.”