Beluga eyes bigger kite

German-based Beluga Shipping GmbH says fuel savings achieved by using a kite propulsion system during its first ever commercial voyage are in line with expectations, and that it anticipates increased efficiencies in the future. The 132 metre long Beluga SkySails completed its maiden voyage using a 160-square-metre kite developed by SkySails earlier in February, having sailed from Bremen, Germany, to Guanta, Venezuela.

Fuel savings of 10-15% were achieved on this voyage, during which the kite was launched on several occasions with average flying times between a few hours and an entire day from sunrise to sunset. SkySails has talked about annual average fuel savings of 10-35% for its kite propulsion system, and savings of up to 50% during optimal conditions.

According to a spokesperson for Beluga, fuel savings of 10-15% was the medium term goal of Beluga SkySails while using the 160-square-metre kite currently installed onboard the multipurpose heavy lift carrier. It would be scaled up to a 320 m2 kite during the coming months making savings in the region of 20 to 30% possible.

The ship is currently on its way from the US port of Davant to Norway, where it is expected to arrive at the start of March. This northern transatlantic passage will have the benefit of even stronger and steadier prevailing winds than during the first voyage phase from Bremen to Guanta.

Interest in the SkySails system and other ways of reducing fuel consumption has been boosted by record bunker prices and growing environmental pressures on the shipping industry to cut emissions.