Ultranav to install kite-based propulsion system on a vessel

Chilean shipping company Ultranav has teamed up with France-based Beyond the Sea to install a kite-based propulsion system on one of its chemical tankers.

IMAGE: An illustration of a vessel equipped with kite-based propulsion system. Beyond the Sea

Kite-based propulsion is a form of wind-assisted propulsion system (WAPS) that uses kites to capture wind energy, helping to reduce engine load, improve vessel efficiency and lower fuel consumption.

This technology can be applied to all types of vessels, from leisure boats to large cargo ships, according to Beyond the Sea.

Under the agreement, an Ultranav chemical tanker will be fitted with Beyond the Sea’s kite propulsion system, starting with a 100-square-metre kite in 2025 and expanding to a 400-square-metre version by 2027.

By Tuhin Roy

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