A reported British proposal would fit large smart sails to merchant ships to reduce propulsion costs. The possible saving is recalled tentatively as about 30%, rather than presented as an established result. The proposal illustrates how commercial shipping could recover a useful role for sail within modern propulsion arrangements.
Notable Point · 2:17:57-2:18:37
Sail assistance and merchant-ship propulsion costs
A smart-sail proposal suggests that wind assistance could reduce merchant-ship propulsion costs, although the recalled saving remains uncertain.