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The Environment
The Seawing, an automated kite system designed to provide wind-assisted propulsion, has achieved a key milestone in completing its validation testing. Developed by the French company Airseas, it is a unique approach toward the decarbonization of commercial ships using aerospace technology to harness the power of the wind.
Based on the latest phase of trials, Airseas is now able to project initial results with a 16 percent fuel and emissions reduction, in line with its broader development roadmap. The company calls the latest steps a demonstration of how aerospace expertise allowed it to pass major technological challenges and demonstrate the potential for wind-assisted propulsion. They had projected up to a 20 percent reduction depending on operating conditions.
Founded by Airbus engineers, the company conducted its first demonstration flights six years ago in 2017 helping it to win financial support from Airbus. Working with Louis Dreyfus Armateurs, which operates vessels chartered to transport components for Airbus, Airseas received its first order for a prototype system. The company has also partnered with Japan’s “K” Line (Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha) which has become an advocate and supporter of the kite system. The Japanese company has committed to testing the system aboard its bulkers and won support from the Japanese government to advance the development of the technology.
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