Contemporary Technology Uses Ancient Technology Wisdom: Pyxis Ocean Ships Sailing from China to Brazil, World Navigation Revolution

• 2 September 2023
• Construction Focus
• 2948 Views

In a remarkable fusion of time-honored maritime wisdom and cutting-edge technology, the winds of innovation are propelling a transformation in cargo shipping. Echoing the era when sail-powered vessels navigated the world’s oceans, a pioneering cargo ship, Pyxis Ocean, is preparing to set sail on an unprecedented voyage from China to Brazil, unfurling its colossal sails to harness the power of the wind.

Intriguingly, this contemporary manifestation of ancient maritime wisdom has been meticulously cultivated through a collaboration between nautical tradition and modern engineering brilliance. The Pyxis Ocean, a sprawling 750-foot cargo ship, stands as the vessel of choice for this revolutionary experiment. The ship has been adorned with two towering sails, each soaring 123 feet, a feat achieved through the ingenious craftsmanship of British engineering firm BAR Technologies—a brainchild of the renowned 2017 America’s Cup team led by Ben Ainslie.

Exuding resilience akin to wind turbines, these imposing sails have been masterfully constructed to withstand the tempestuous winds of the open seas. The sails can be artfully folded away upon the ship’s arrival in port, a nod to the efficiency-driven innovation that characterizes the endeavor. When fully deployed, they embody environmental virtuosity, sparing a staggering one and a half tons of cumbersome heavy fuel oil per day. This ambitious experiment involves a duo of sails, offering the prospect of saving up to three tons of fuel daily aboard the Pyxis Ocean.

As the inaugural voyage of the Pyxis Ocean embarks on its epic odyssey from China to Brazil, a captivating storyline unfolds—a tale of convergence between nostalgia and the future, entwined with the quest for sustainability. The expedition serves as the maiden trial for the pioneering WindWings, tantalizingly described as sails of the future, curated by BAR Technologies. This maritime odyssey doubles as a real-world crucible, where the efficacy of WindWings is meticulously observed, bearing the promise of reshaping the trajectory of cargo transportation.

The advent of WindWings heralds a potential paradigm shift in the maritime industry. By harmonizing the elemental force of the wind with cutting-edge engineering, the pyramids of cargo shipping’s carbon footprint could potentially crumble, witnessing an approximate 30% reduction in lifetime emissions. A mere six weeks are estimated for the Pyxis Ocean to navigate the distance between China and Brazil under the embrace of these innovative sails. Contrastingly, a conventional fuel-dependent voyage could demand between 20 and 40 days—a testament to the efficiency and promise of this novel propulsion system.

Managed by the renowned shipping conglomerate Cargill, the maiden voyage of the Pyxis Ocean resonates as a pioneering testament to innovation and sustainability. The WindWings, christened as such by BAR Technologies, will undergo meticulous scrutiny during this expedition, wielding the potential to mold the future of maritime transport. Envisioning this transformation, John Cooper, the visionary leader of BAR Technologies, shares his optimism for the sails’ potential proliferation. He posits that by 2025, an astounding 50% of newly constructed ships could be adorned with these revolutionary sails.

• Technology and Engineering
• Road and Infrastructure