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Published online 19 September 2007 | Nature 449, 272-273 (2007) | doi:10.1038/449272a
News: Business
The shipping forecast
Although cargo vessels are currently spared emissions restrictions, the industry is planning ahead. Kurt Kleiner looks at the ideas being floated to improve energy efficiency on the high seas.
When the ship MV Beluga SkySails weighs anchor later this year it will do something unusual for a modern cargo ship: it will hoist a sail. The 140-metre vessel is being equipped with a kite-like sail that will fly from its bow, offering it extra propulsion and potentially cutting the amount of fuel needed for its voyage by up to 35%.
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