Cargo Ships Could be Pulled Across the Ocean by Giant Kites

Could giant kites one day pull cargo ships across the sea? What seems like a novelty concept or even a throwback to the Age of Sail might become a reality in the future of shipping.

The Seawing, a revolutionary technology being developed by French company Airseas, has the potential to assist cargo ships in minimizing fuel consumption and reducing carbon emissions by an average of 20%.

In 2016, two engineers from the renowned French aerospace company Airbus conceptualized an idea that led to the formation of Airseas. Dedicated to advancing the technology, Airseas has been diligently developing the concept since its inception.

After years of extensive research, they have now reached the testing phase, deploying the kite technology on a cargo ship that traverses the route between France and the United States.

Could giant kites pull cargo ships to their destinations?

Throughout history, the wind has been utilized to propel vessels across the sea, but the Seawing takes this concept to new heights with its state-of-the-art technology designed for the modern era. This innovative kite, resembling a parafoil commonly seen in kitesurfing, is launched and retrieved using a foldable mast.

It incorporates autopilot software housed in a box beneath the kite, enabling precise flight control. The kite remains connected to the ship via a 700-meter-long cable, serving both as a power source and a conduit for data exchange between the vessel and the kite. When not in use, the kite can be conveniently stowed away.

“What differentiates it from other wind solutions,” says Airseas co-founder and CEO Vincent Bernatets, “is that the wing is not just pulled by the wind and countered by the ship.” Instead, it flies in figure-of-eight loops, which multiply the pulling effect of the airflow to give what he calls “crazy power.”

“Plus, we fetch the wind 300 meters above the sea surface, where it’s 50% more powerful,” the Airsea CEO continues. This combination “explains why the power is tremendous for a system that is very compact, simple on the bow of the ship, and can be retrofitted on any ship, not just new ships.”

Testing

Naturally, to determine whether cargo ships could be pulled across the sea with wind-powered kites, the company will have to put the Seawing to the test.

Over the course of more than a year, extensive testing has been conducted on a cargo ship chartered by Airbus, which holds a minority stake in Airseas.

During transatlantic voyages, a 250-square-meter version of the Seawing has been actively deployed, launched, and flown by the Airseas team. In a significant milestone, the company announced in May that the kite had effectively towed the ship. Building upon this success, Airseas plans to commence testing “dynamic” figure-of-eight flights in December.

Airseas has obtained €2.5 million ($2.7 million) in funding from the European Union. The company has already received orders from Airbus and the esteemed Japanese shipping company “K” Line. With the aim of achieving full operational capability, Airseas envisions having the technology ready by the conclusion of 2025.