100-foot spinning sails harvest wind to power ships

For the first time in nearly a century, a ship is about to be fitted with a set of “spinning sails” that harness the <a href="http://inhabitat.com/environment/wind/">wind</a> to help power it across the ocean—a technology that could significantly green up the process of trans-oceanic shipping. As <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/mar/14/spinning-sail-reboot-cut-fuel-make-ocean-tankers-greener">The Guardian</a> reports, the spinning or rotor sail was first invented in 1926 by German engineer Anton Flettner, who installed them on two ships, including one that crossed the Atlantic. The “sails” are actually rotating columns that work with the prevailing winds to generate forward thrust for ships. This modern trial of a new take on old technology is backed by Maersk, <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/shell-oil/">Shell</a>’s shipping arm and one of the largest shipping companies in the world. One Maersk tanker ship will be outfitted with two of the nearly 100-foot-tall spinning sails – which are manufactured by Finland’s <a href="http://norsepowerltd-public.sharepoint.com/">Norsepower</a>.

An artist's rendering of the rotor sails on a Maersk ship.

An artist's rendering of Norsepower spinning sails on a Viking Line ship.