The Military Sealift Command Goes Green

"The Military Sealift Command has chartered a ship that may have won the competitive bid primarily because its green technology reduces fuel costs. Very interesting. The MSC press release.

For the first time, the U.S. Navy's Military Sealift Command has chartered a kite-assisted, fuel-saving cargo ship to carry military equipment.

MV Beluga SkySails departed Newport, Wales, Oct. 5 after the first of three European port calls to load U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force cargo before the ship's month-long voyage to the United States.

The 400-foot Beluga SkySails is the world's first cargo ship to use a sky sail - a giant, computer-controlled kite that can rise 100 yards into the air and uses wind power to help propel the ship during long ocean transits. Though MSC frequently charters commercial ships to meet mission requirements, this is the first time the command has chartered such a ship.
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