Dry bulk carrier to be world’s largest kite-powered ship

In the first quarter of 2012, the dry bulk cargo vessel Aghia Marina will be equipped with a 320 square meter Skysail.  At 170 meters long and a dwt of 28,500 tons, the Agia Marina will be the largest vessel ever to be equipped with the wind propulsion technology patented by the Hamburg-based company SkySails GmbH.

The Skysail installation is part of an agreement by Cargill, a global transporter of agricultural, energy and industrial commodities, and Greek ship owner/manager Anbros Maritime S.A., owner of the Aghia Marina.  Cargill first announced it had signed a supply agreement with SkySails last February, but did not release the name of the vessel in which the Skysail would be installed.

The SkySails system can reduce fuel consumption by 10 to 35%, depending on wind conditions.  The Aghia Marina will be equipped with the Skysails technology for the next five years.

Photos courtesy Skysails GmBh

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