A Japanese manufacturer is planning to put solar-powered sails on cargo vessels to harness the energy of both the wind and the sun to cut a ship’s fuel cost. Dubbed as EnergySail, Japanese firm Eco Marine Power claims it could be fitted to any vessel size - from the large bulk ore carriers to ferries and coast guard patrol vessels. The solar-powered sails will have an automatic control system to orient the sails to follow the direction of the wind and sunlight. Eco Marine Power said that, combined with other green features like an optimised hull design and fuel cell technology, the EnergySail could give cargo vessels up to 40 per cent in fuel savings. Sea trials are scheduled to begin next year.
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