Wind ships – powering the future of ocean transport

Sustainability (ESG) is becoming a key priority for businesses across industries – from product manufacturing and environmentally sound supply chains, to minimising the impact on the planet and paying more heed to green ecommerce fulfilment. But it is a slow process, especially when you consider, as a consumer, just how quick and easy it is to buy the products we need. Anything from out of season produce, to clothing and electronics is readily available. While we certainly have the likes of local couriers and delivery services to thank for that, on a wider scale it is thanks to ocean transportation – cargo ships.

As much as 90% of the goods we buy are transported via ship, which according to the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) is 11 billion tons of cargo annually. This equates to 1.5 tons for each and every person on the planet.

Whether carrying fuel or food, there is no denying that ocean transportation has a positive impact on our lives, carrying goods at such economies of scale that we not only get what we need but we get it at a favourable price.

But there is a downside; ships emit a tremendous amount of nitrogen oxides (15% of global emissions), sulphur oxides and carbon dioxide (3% of global emissions) into the atmosphere, and that is not to mention the long-term impact of underwater noise on marine life.

Sailing towards sustainability

The shipping industry is, however, working to clean up its act with the International Maritime Organization setting a goal of being completely decarbonised by 2050 (or thereabouts). There are a number of ways that this is likely to happen, with the forerunner being ‘green fuel’.

Danish shipping company Maersk is exploring this option with a fleet of new ships that are green methanol-enabled and classified as dual fuel vessels which will cut emissions. The company has already launched four of its planned 18 methanol-enabled vessels.

Other options are also being considered, including hydrogen fuel, which is emissions free, electric boats (both with their challenges) and wind. The latter being nothing new when it comes to powering ships. After all, it moved humankind forward for thousands of years – brought settlers to new worlds, expanded empires and established trade routes to introduce wonderous products to new markets.

There are already those experimenting with rigid sails retrofitted to cargo ships to be used in addition to engine power all with the aim of cutting emissions.

Designed with purpose

Taking that a step further – based on a passion for sailing and a sailor’s love of and respect for the ocean – is Charles Hardy of the Solent Windship Company. Hardy began sailing at a young age, which isn’t really a surprise considering his father was in the Royal Navy, his grandfather was a seasoned sailor, and Sir Thomas Hardy, commander of HMS Victory at the Battle of Trafalgar, is a possible distant relative.

Charles Hardy’s passion and aim: to build the world’s largest wooden sailing ship constructed in the last century to transport cargo around the globe.

The endeavour will see Hardy and his team building a fit-for-purpose sailing cargo ship with a design influenced by the 19th century tea clippers but strongly reflecting 21st century innovation. Each element of the ship has been designed with efficiency and sustainability in mind. Everything from ease of loading and offloading of its break bulk cargo, to higher performing, sustainable sails and a hull design heavily influenced by Hardy’s time spent big-boat racing.

With a capacity of 800-900 tons of cargo and the ability to sail at 14 knots – and reach higher speeds in favourable winds – the ship will transport cargo around the world, making use of smaller ports and offering fair trade businesses a more sustainable transportation option.

The Solent Windship

The ship will be constructed from laminated, sequestered carbon timber where CO2 is captured, stored and isn’t emitted into the atmosphere. As a result, not only will the ship be stronger than ships made from traditional wood, but the sequestration process ensures this is far more sustainable than using steel. This also means that less wood is needed for the construction. The hull will feature double diagonal planking, and the plan is to sheath it in a layer of bio epoxy and flax cloth to keep it as sustainable as possible.

Again, using his experience of working for sail makers, the 4,000 m2 sails of the wind ship will be more sustainable than cloth, made from ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene that can be recycled and repurposed into other products, such as pens. This type of sail will hold its shape better and last longer.

Powered by wind and innovation

Unlike its 19th century predecessors, the ship won’t be at the mercy of the fair winds. A combination of weather routing and radar technology will help the sailors make the most of the conditions. The ship will, however, also feature an auxiliary propulsion system with electric systems powered by a battery bank and supplemented with solar and wind generators, to help the crew motor short distances to enter into ports or manoeuvre towards a more favourable wind system.

It isn’t just Hardy’s experience in big-boat racing – having sailed and raced on more than 70 yachts – or his experience in boat building and BTech National Diploma in Marine Technology and Boat Building that is driving the project. It is Hardy’s love of the ocean and respect of the environment, coupled with his sense of purpose and desire to build a community.

In addition to the ship being an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional cargo ships, Solent Windship Co will also offer eco-tourism options with two dedicated passenger cabins on board, and giving back to local communities. Each voyage will offer a bursary through the associated Solent Windship Trust to provide a sail training opportunity for a deserving candidate.

Moving forward

As a fulfilment specialist, we recognise that it isn’t just shipping that needs to be looking to the future. Sustainability needs to be built in at all levels – on the operations and warehousing side, packaging and delivery. This is something we’ve been working on for the last decade, thinking ahead and helping our customers, especially those with keen sustainability strategies, streamline their logistics and make the entire process greener.

We also recognise that while zero carbon fulfilment, a fleet of wind-powered sailing ships or completely green fuel enabled vessels may be a way off, a sustainable future depends on forward-thinkers like Hardy and others like him – organisations that are vested in finding a better way. Especially when it comes to building a foundation for a long-term solution to protecting our oceans and our planet, balancing the demand for goods with sustainability.

Charles Hardy and the Solent Windship Company are based in Hampshire, UK. To learn more about Hardy’s sustainable shipping methods and to register your interest click here.

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