Tech Tutor: How rotor sails reduce fuel consumption and emissions in shipping
Shipping is the backbone of global trade, transporting around 80% of goods by volume and playing a key role in energy distribution. While it remains the most efficient method of large-scale cargo transport, the industry accounts for approximately 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions, posing a major challenge on the path to sustainability.
Achieving net zero in shipping is no easy task. While efforts to achieve decarbonization continue, fully zero-carbon ships are still under development. Even once viable technologies emerge, replacing fleets and upgrading infrastructure will take time. That is why the industry requires both long-term strategies and immediate solutions to cut emissions today.
Rotor sails are an effective way to reduce fuel consumption and emissions without requiring a full-scale fleet overhaul — offering efficiency gains with minimal modifications.
Unlike traditional sails that rely on fabric to capture wind, rotor sails use tall, spinning cylinders to harness aerodynamic forces for propulsion. At first glance, how they generate thrust might not be obvious, but the method is both effective and fascinating.
Here is a simple breakdown of how rotor sails work.
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