• PeterPoopshit@lemmy.world
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    9 months ago

    I have an idea. I know it sounds far fetched, probably won’t work but hear me out. What if they put large poles on ships and hung a big canvas from each of them? The wind could blow against these, generating free thrust and it can make the ships go faster. Wonder if anyone’s ever tried that before.

    • rtxn@lemmy.world
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      9 months ago

      But what about the oil companies who make massive profits selling the worst, bottom of the barrel, shit-tier bunker oil to cargo ship operators because regulations don’t exist on international waters? Won’t someone think of the oil companies?

      • Wodge@lemmy.world
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        9 months ago

        Won’t someone think of the oil companies?

        I will, and my thoughts are below.

        spoiler

        Fuck you Oil companies. Fuck you up the ass, with a spanner, sideways.

        • Kaliax@lemmy.world
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          9 months ago

          👆 This guy is my favourite* British? person on Lemmy. Called their father a God damned ‘melt’ and shit, and that God damned name! Lol, yeah Wodge, fuck 'em with whatever the fuck a spanner is – I’m with you!

    • DoomBot5@lemmy.world
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      9 months ago

      I’m sure a ship that can do that will be able to carry at least 1 shipping container, maybe 2 if they’re really light. Should be perfect.

      • flathead@lemm.ee
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        9 months ago

        Published Feb 19, 2023 12:37 PM by The Maritime Executive

        Sailing cargo ships are making a genuine comeback. Japanese bulk carrier MOL is operating a wind-assisted ship. American food giant Cargill is working with Olympic sailor Ben Ainslie to deploy WindWings on its routes. Swedish shipping company Wallenius is aiming for Oceanbird to cut emissions by up to 90%. The French start-up Zephyr & Borée has built the Canopée, which will transport parts of European Space Agency’s Ariane 6 rocket this year.

        https://maritime-executive.com/editorials/sailing-cargo-ships-are-making-a-genuine-comeback

        • DoomBot5@lemmy.world
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          9 months ago

          Sure, wind assisted, not driven. They’re getting a bit of fuel savings from the sails rather than operating purely on wind.

          • MachineFab812
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            8 months ago

            At 90% fuel savings, its the ICE engines doing the assisting. Think about it.

            • DoomBot5@lemmy.world
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              9 months ago

              That’s their aim. I aim to own a fully electric solar powered yacht to live on in the Caribbeans. Doesn’t mean I’ll ever achieve it. Best realistic values I’ve seen were closer to 30% fuel reduction.

        • ikidd@lemmy.world
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          9 months ago

          How do the French always manage to come up with project names that sound like gourmet food dishes?

    • datendefekt@lemmy.ml
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      9 months ago

      There are actually a few cargo ships using Flettner Rotors. They can’t completely power the ship - they require a bit of power themselves for the rotation - but they can noticeably offset fuel consumption.