Zeppelin takes stake in SkySails

Zeppelin Power Systems GmbH & Co. KG, Hamburg, a subsidiary of the Zeppelin Group, and the towing-kite manufacturer SkySails GmbH & Co. KG, also of Hamburg, are joining forces to market SkySails propulsion systems. The Oltmann Gruppe has played a key role in financing the establishment of SkySails.

Zeppelin Power Systems now takes stake as strategic partner in order to create the optimal basis for the next step ? the market entry. Starting next year, the two Hamburg-based companies will be combining their expertise and competence in what will be called the Zeppelin SkySails Service- und Vertriebsges. mbH & Co. KG. The two partners intend to set new worldwide standards through the joint marketing of diesel-wind hybrid power systems. Zeppelin Power Systems? robust sales and service network will ensure that the SkySails-Systems are maintained and serviced quickly and reliably across the globe. Zeppelin has been the partner of Caterpillar, the world?s largest independent manufacturer of diesel engines, for over 50 years and is one of the leading sales and service organizations for marine engines.

“Rising fuel costs and climate-change-related requirements and restrictions are forcing the shipping industry to change its way of thinking. The combination of cutting-edge diesel engine technologies from MaK and Caterpillar and the wind propulsion systems from SkySails will allow us to chart a new and much more promising course in our industry. This partnership not only fully accommodates the development of new market potential in the maritime industry, but also follows the future-minded tradition set forth by our company?s founder: the courage to try something new and to believe in its success,” says Ernst Susanek, the President and ceo of Zeppelin.

SkySails propulsion is currently in use on two cargo ships belonging to Beluga Shipping and the Wessels Reederei as part of pilot trials along a variety of shipping routes. SkySails will begin series production in 2009 ? with production capacity already booked for a year in advance.

Depending on wind conditions, SkySails propulsion can save an average of between 10 and 35 % of fuel costs on cargo vessels. Some 60,000 of the 100,000 ships at sea today can be retrofitted with such a towing-kite propulsion system. More than 150 million tons of climate-damaging CO2 emissions could be saved each year were SkySails technology to be used systematically throughout the world.