Cast off for MV "Beluga SkySails"

The MV “Beluga SkySails” has started her maiden voyage according to plan. The world’s first multipurpose heavy lift project carrier that due to an innovative towing kite system is co-powered by wind energy, did cast off on Tuesday evening (22^nd of January, 2008) at 8.18 pm from “Columbuskaje” in Bremerhaven. The port of destination for the first voyage over approximately 4400 sea miles in length is Guanta in Venezuela. MV “Beluga SkySails” ships components for a chipboard plant.

For crossing the Atlantic Ocean the vessel explores a traditional windjammer route south of the Azores, in order to catch the much expected sufficient eastern winds that allow for a frequent application of the towing kite. 15 days are the calculated transit time towards South America. During the night from Wednesday to Thursday the vessel reaches the level of English city Dover – shortly thereafter the 160 square meter large kite will be launched for commercial usage for the first time.

However, the sail has successfully flown at sky already. On early Tuesday morning, following the completed loading and lashing processes, the vessel new building left its port of registry Bremen heading downstream the River Weser for Bremerhaven. Later that morning, Captain Lutz Heldt undertook a final sea trial in the German Bight. Thereby, on position 53° 52,7’ North – 7° 47,7’ East the kite was released from the telescopic mast to rise up to heights of 330 yards where the winds are comparatively strong and steady.

145 yards long MV “Beluga SkySails” will cross the oceans more environmentally sound and more cost effective than common cargo vessels: By application of the innovative towing kite system the ship engine will be relieved and depending on wind conditions and used kite size the bunker consumption as well as the CO2-emissions can be reduced by ten to 20 percent. MV “Beluga SkySails” proves a pioneering spirit that creates innovations, which promote both economy and ecology. By Eva Luise Koehler, wife of Germany’s Federal President, the 10,000-tdw-vessel was christened on 15th of December, 2007, in Hamburg. Owner of this revolutionary ship and first user of “SkySails” is Bremen-based project and heavy lift carrier Beluga Shipping GmbH.