2021 the Swedish shipbuilder Wallenius Marine wants to join the “Oceanbird” launched a freighter that 7000 can transport cars. The announcement from September this year was followed by a first practical test on a small scale.

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An attempt with a 7 meter long boat and a sail was successful, writes Wallenius Marine. On the ultimately planned 98 meter long ship, five 80 meter high sails must be installed. An Atlantic crossing should be able to do it in twelve days with an emission saving of 90 percent compared to conventional car transport .

Students from the Swedish Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) approved the test boat at the Viggbyholm Boat Club north of Stockholm Water to examine the structure of the wing-like sail, whether its remote-controlled alignment works and to prepare for larger tests in November. In future prototypes, instead of radio control, a computer will use data from wind sensors, GPS and a compass to independently decide how the sails and rudder should be set.

Next tests in November During the test there was only light wind, the boat behaved as expected, they say in the message. Without a motor, the rudder had to be kept at a constant angle, otherwise the boat would have gone in a circle. But that was already clear before the start of the test.

Freight sailor Oceanbird should 2024 transport thousands of cars (10 Pictures) 200 meters long and …

(Image: Wallenius Marine) Next, the project operators want a boat test with four sails. Then there should also be sensors and a computer on board. But before the next prototype can be launched into the water, the technology must first be extensively tested and optimized in the laboratory on land.

Originally, foldable sails were to be put on the Oceanbird. Instead, the project makers opted for the telescope principle, because this construction is more stable, space-saving and practicable, for example in strong winds.

Wallenius Marine assumes that the final design of the Oceanbird end 2021 is certain and should also be orderable. Except with the KTH arbe