Cargo ships with wind-powered 'wings' could decrease fuel consumption by 30%.

• The WindWings-equipped Pyxis Ocean embarked on a pilot journey from China to Brazil, utilizing wind power to aid its propulsion.
• According to Cargill, which chartered the ship for the pilot, new build bulk carriers with three WindWings installed on them could use 30% less fuel.
• The shipping industry aims to achieve net zero carbon emissions "by or around" 2050, contributing about 3% to the world's carbon emissions, as per a July agreement.

An unusual cargo ship is scheduled to arrive at the Gdynia port in Poland next week.

The WindWings, two large, rigid sails, set the Pyxis Ocean apart from other dry cargo vessels, despite its similarities in size and appearance.

The 37.5-meter-tall wings of the vessel utilize wind power to propel it and decrease its fuel consumption, which is an attempt to minimize carbon emissions. Shipping contributes approximately 3% to the world's greenhouse gas emissions.

The ship departed from Shanghai, China, on Aug. 1 with approximately 20 crew members on board. Its journey took it to Paranagua, Brazil, and then to Tenerife, Spain, before it arrived in Poland. The wings were folded down when the ship docked at ports during its voyage.

Cargill Ocean Transportation chartered the Pyxis Ocean with the aim of reducing fuel consumption by approximately 20% through the addition of WindWings, as stated by Jan Dieleman, president of Cargill Ocean Transportation.

Net zero goals

If three WindWings are installed on a new build ship, Cargill's calculations suggest that it could contribute to a 30% reduction in fossil fuel consumption. However, if the vessel is powered with a biofuel, the figure could increase to 50%, according to Dieleman.

The maritime industry agreed to reduce emissions to net zero "by or around" 2050, but challenges such as the absence of green fuels could hinder progress.

Dieleman stated in a video call with CNBC that the wind alone cannot bring us to zero, and we need to switch off the engines and go back in time to achieve that. However, the technology they are trying to develop aims to combine the best of both worlds, maintain reliability with an engine, and significantly reduce fuel usage.

The production of biofuels like green methanol and green ammonia is more expensive than that of fossil fuels, and it's not just a matter of replacing one with the other. For instance, methanol has half the energy density of hydrocarbons, which means larger tanks are required.

By reducing the fuel volume by 30%, you gain the advantage of not having to fill your ship with tanks instead of cargo capacity, as stated by Dieleman.

Dieleman stated that the combination of wind power and new fuels could potentially make ship ownership schemes more financially rewarding and less risky, as the payback period could be reduced from 10 years to two to three years due to the higher cost of new fuels. This might motivate more ship owners to participate in such schemes.

Cargill has ordered five methanol-powered bulk carrier vessels, with the first one ordered in 2022. The company plans to add WindWings to the design of these vessels once their performance has been evaluated.

Despite the smooth journey of the Pyxis Ocean, some ports were hesitant to welcome it due to its uniqueness, according to Dieleman. He explained that it takes time to introduce innovation in a traditional industry, even with the best intentions and efforts, and that there are still many obstacles to overcome.

The WindWings cannot be installed on all vessels, such as cargo ships with tall containers or bulk carriers like the Pyxis Ocean that store goods below deck.

The Pyxis Ocean has been in development for four years, and it is a complex industry involving multiple parties funding and developing new technology, according to Dieleman.

Cargill, in collaboration with naval architect Bar Technologies, developed the WindWings, which were then produced by Yara Marine Technologies. The Pyxis Ocean is owned by.

"This is a prime example, I believe, of people coming together and being genuinely willing to make a difference, taking some risk. Our owner is allowing us to cut big holes in the ship, which not every owner in the world is willing to do," Dieleman said.