Container ships with sails: Winds of change

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  Quantumrun Foresight
• November 7, 2024

Insight summary

Sailing container ships offer a cleaner alternative to traditional fuel-powered vessels, significantly reducing carbon emissions but at the cost of slower delivery times. To adapt, businesses may need to rethink supply chains and inventory strategies, while consumers could see higher prices due to these shipping delays. Governments may play a key role in supporting this shift through updated regulations and infrastructure, driving both environmental and economic changes in the shipping industry.

Container ships with sails context

Sailing container ships are charting a new course for the shipping industry, leaving fuel-powered vessels in their wake with a far smaller carbon footprint. One well-known example is the Anemos, created by the French company Towt, which finished its first Atlantic voyage in September 2024. The ship lowered emissions by as much as 90 percent compared to regular vessels that run on fuel, showing how large sails (covering 3,000 square meters) can be a cleaner way to move cargo ships. While Anemos moves slower, averaging 10 knots, it carried 1,200 tonnes of goods without using fossil fuels.

Another development in this field is the Pyxis Ocean, a bulk carrier that tested WindWings technology made by BAR Technologies. The Pyxis Ocean is part of a European Union-funded project led by the University of Vaasa, which focuses on updating older ships with wind-powered sails. These sails stand 37.5 meters tall and have been shown to lower fuel use by up to 30 percent on some routes, providing a practical way to reduce carbon emissions for older ships. During its six-month trip in 2023, the Pyxis Ocean cut its fuel use by three tonnes per day. 

However, the shipping industry still faces challenges in using wind-powered solutions on a large scale to handle global trade, which moves about 11 billion tonnes of goods every year. Container ships with sails generally carry less cargo than regular container ships, which can transport up to 60,000 tonnes. Nonetheless, sailing ships remain a viable solution to the shipping industry's pivot to a greener footprint.

Disruptive impact

As wind-powered ships produce fewer emissions, they will likely appeal to environmentally conscious consumers, encouraging people to choose products transported by cleaner methods. Over time, there may also be a rise in the cost of goods due to slower delivery times compared to conventional cargo ships. Additionally, individuals working in the shipping industry may need to adapt to different skill sets, such as managing wind-powered vessels. However, the positive environmental effects, like reduced air pollution and improved marine ecosystems, could enhance the overall quality of life.

Brands may incorporate cleaner transportation into their supply chains to meet growing sustainability standards and appeal to eco-conscious customers. However, slower shipping times could require adjustments in inventory management, potentially driving up costs. Shipbuilding or renewable energy companies might find new opportunities in creating and maintaining these vessels. However, traditional shipping companies may face challenges adapting to new regulations and the evolving market demand for greener shipping options.

Meanwhile, governments may play a crucial role in shaping the future of sailing container ships through regulations, infrastructure investments, and international policies. They may need to provide incentives to encourage the adoption of cleaner shipping technologies, such as tax breaks or subsidies for retrofitting ships with wind-assist technology. Additionally, port infrastructure could require updates to handle the different docking needs for wind-powered vessels. International agreements on emissions standards could also prompt governments to work together to ensure that shipping industries worldwide transition to greener options. 

Implications of container ships with sails

Wider implications of container ships with sails may include: 

• Slower shipping times prompting businesses to adopt more localized supply chains, reducing dependency on long-distance transport and enhancing regional economies.
• Increased demand for sustainable shipping options causing companies to adjust their business models to focus on eco-friendly transport as a marketable advantage.
• The rise in shipping costs due to slower, wind-powered vessels resulting in higher prices for imported goods, potentially changing consumer buying habits.
• New environmental policies could encourage more investment in renewable energy technologies, benefiting the green energy sector.
• Ports being redesigned to accommodate larger sails and wind-powered vessels, impacting the infrastructure of coastal cities and creating new urban planning challenges.
• The reduction in fossil fuel use decreasing the maritime industry’s contribution to climate change, positively affecting long-term global environmental health.
• Shipping delays leading to changes in just-in-time manufacturing strategies, as companies may adjust to ensure consistent supply with slower shipping.
• Increased awareness of environmental issues leading to political pressure on governments to support greener industries, impacting national and global policy agendas.

Questions to consider

• How might the shift toward wind-powered shipping impact the cost and availability of the products you buy every day?
• How might you personally support or encourage businesses that choose more sustainable shipping options?