Launch HN: OutSail (YC W23) – Wingsails to reduce cargo ship fuel consumption
I would be cautious about the twisting loads on containers. The side forces will be huge, especially in a swell. Then add mechanical parts that must work in an incredibly hostile environment, and lastly, add on the north Atlantic in the winter, and you are in for a bad time. Ships losing containers due to stacks collapsing happens very frequently, without any extra forces.<p><a href="https://alsum.co/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Perdida-de-contenedores-en-el-mar.jpg" rel="nofollow">https://alsum.co/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Perdida-de-conte...</a><p>Look at a purpose-built sailship from the age of sail in a north Atlantic storm. It is a rough ride.<p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7RABaByP_8">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7RABaByP_8</a><p>Another attempt in a similar fashion is the Oceanbird concept by Wallenius Wilhelmsen, but that means building the vessel from the ground  to handle the forces and that over-head loading and unloading is not possible, thus the aim at RO-RO ships.<p><a href="https://www.theoceanbird.com/" rel="nofollow">https://www.theoceanbird.com/</a><p>With one vessel already ordered:<p><a href="https://www.walleniuswilhelmsen.com/news-and-insights/highlighted-topics/orcelle" rel="nofollow">https://www.walleniuswilhelmsen.com/news-and-insights/highli...</a><p>Personally, as a commercial sailor and software engineer, this container approach screams of VCs throwing money at commercial shipping without understanding the industry. Profit margins are non-existent and are already hugely optimized with possibilities for specialized solutions. This wing sail will have to compete with synthetic fuels without increasing the cost due to crewing requirements.