For the first time, the U.S. military has chartered a civilian cargo ship partially powered by a high-tech sail that helps carry it across the seas, officials said.
Military Sealift Command signed a one-time-use contract to charter the MV Beluga SkySails to carry U.S. Army and Air Force military equipment from Europe to the States, said Gillian Brigham, spokeswoman for Sealift Logistics Command Europe and Sealift Logistics Command Central.
The Hamburg, Germany-based company holds the $1.75 million contract to ferry the military equipment collected from bases in Germany and Italy back to the United States.
The 400-foot Beluga SkySails is the world’s first cargo ship to use a skysail — a giant, computer-controlled kite that uses wind to help power the ship on long ocean transits, according to the company’s Web site.
"In theory and function, the SkySail is not so different from its canvas ancestors. It is still a sail, just a really, really, really big one — large enough to help haul a cargo vessel across the water," reads a company press release posted on its site. "The prototype SkySail, which completed its first transatlantic voyage last winter, measures 1,700 square feet and can be raised as high as 1,000 feet over the ocean surface to catch the consistently strong winds that swirl above the waves."
Under optimum wind and weather conditions, the sail can help boost a ship’s cruising speed from 10 knots to 11.6 knots.
Officials estimated the skysail can reduce fuel costs by 20 to 30 percent — or about $1,600 per day.
"The company made the most competitive offer, which is why it won the contract. Fuel savings could have been a factor that made it the most competitive offer," Brigham said.
Beluga SkySails left Newport, Wales, on Sunday, one of three European port visits before it sails across the Atlantic. It will make other stops in Germany and Italy, Brigham said.
"[Military Sealift Command] values innovation that leads to cost savings," said Capt. Nick Holman, commander of Sealift Logistics Command Europe, MSC’s area command for Europe and Africa, in a statement. "We are proud to be collaborating with innovators in the commercial maritime world to provide our customers with efficient and quality service."
