Airseas, an Airbus spin-off, announces a 20-year agreement with shipowner Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha. (K Line) to install and service one ship with a Seawing, an automated kite based on parafoil technology.
The Seawing will be used to tow commercial ships and reduce CO2 emissions by 20% through wind propulsion.
Following an initial test on one vessel, K Line will acquire up to 50 Seawings.
“Seawing represents a breakthrough for our industry and for the environment. K Line has always been committed to demonstrating that shipowners are prioritising technology to improve ship efficiency and to solve the core issue of maritime emissions.
"By utilising aeronautical competences, Seawing reduces the environmental footprint of Capesize ships by 5,200 tons of CO2 per year depending on the vessel voyage route. This will contribute to achieving our goal to reduce CO2 emissions by half in the “K” Line Environmental Vision 2050,” said Mr Misaki, managing executive officer at K Line.