CORPORATE COMMUNICATION

Let’s set sail The brainchild of Beluga Shipping and SkySails heads for success

MV “Beluga SkySails”, a multipurpose Stolberg, founder and CEO of Beluga on MV “Beluga SkySails”, will significantly heavy-lift project carrier new-build that Shipping. Later this year, the kite installed reduce the emission of harmful greenhouse was christened on December 15 last year, to MV “Beluga SkySails” will be scaled up gases. This environmental aspect has and recently enjoyed its maiden voyage, to 320 m2 in size which will also double impacted Beluga’s decision to implement is the world’s first modern merchant the effects. Then, bunker consumption this new technology to a great extent. MV vessel to be co-powered by wind energy. can possibly be reduced by 20-30%. The “Beluga SkySails”, hence, is the visible SkySails system is a way out of the direct result of a pioneering spirit promoting both The 10,000-tdw carrier is owned, managed dependence on the oil price, which has economy and ecology. and operated by Beluga Shipping GmbH, been climbing from one record high to a project and heavy-lift carrier based another for some years. Also, SkySails The SkySails system, developed and in , Germany. Through the represents the only suitable model to make distributed by Hamburg-based company company’s initial €500,000 investment in effective use of cost-free wind energy, as SkySails GmbH & Co. KG, and seeing this future-oriented , very good it strongly and steadily prevails on sea; no its launch in commercial applications by opportunities of substantially reducing the bothersome masts on deck, no restriction Beluga Shipping, mainly consists of a fuel costs of the strategically growing fleet of stowage space, no hindrances to loading towing kite with towing rope, a launch open up. and discharging, and no risk to crew, and recovery system and a control pod or ship. for automatic operation. Instead of a The benefit of a vessel such as MV “Beluga traditional sail fitted to a static mast, the SkySails” first and foremost is a remarkable “The SkySails system allows for economic only connection this kite has to the ship is cost reduction. Given the current fuel and ecologically responsible entrepreneurial the towing rope. Hence, the aerodynamic prices of more than US$400 a tonne, it is action at the same time,” says Niels effectiveness of the paraglider-like kite necessary for shipping companies to find Stolberg, pointing out the second benefit can best be used through dynamic flight new, innovative alternatives. For the time of the unrivalled towing kite system. So far, manoeuvres ahead of bow in up to 300m being, MV “Beluga SkySails” is equipped the maritime industry is one of the greatest height, while the heeling which a large with a 160 m2 large towing kite. “If we contributors to environmental pollution lever arm usually causes to sailing ships succeed in saving 10-15% of fuel per day worldwide. Nearly 1bn tonnes of CO2 is minimal and in fact negligible on MV by means of SkySails, then we are talking are emitted each year on the oceans, for “Beluga SkySails”, as a result of the spatial about almost US$2,000 a day,”, says Niels example. The SkySails system as applied separation of the kite and the vessel.

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BBelugainddelugaindd 6868 229/2/089/2/08 13:42:1313:42:13 Being a sailor himself, Niels Stolberg anticipated, corresponding to a reduction is familiar with the effects of the wind in ship voyage expenses of more than , and therefore convinced that the system US$6,000 per day. “MV Beluga SkySails functions effectively. Master Mariners and is the visible result of other sea personnel working for Beluga These vessels, belonging to the 16 vessels a pioneering spirit Shipping spent intensive training time on of the so-called Beluga P1- and P2- series, promoting both board a test ship in the Baltic Sea for several each identical in design, create the new „ months, in order to become acquainted generation of clean, open-box shape carriers economy and ecology with the individual components and with like any other Beluga vessel constructed to the system before the vessel headed towards enable flexible assignments such as shipping Venezuela. plant equipment, windmill equipment, transformers, LNG cold boxes or harbour cadets are trained onboard six specifically The utility will certainly increase when cranes. They provide for up to 20,000 tdw equipped training vessels which, of course, handling the towing kite system will have tonnage and onboard crane gear with lifting fulfil commercial operations simultaneously. become a question of routine to the crew, capacities of up to 1,400 tonnes in tandem Within the upcoming months, a maritime which is going to benefit as well since 20% usage. By the end of 2010, they will take the campus, incorporating , research, of the savings are distributed to the people Beluga fleet size to a strategically effective industry and housing facilities in one area, onboard. number of 75 units. will be built in the city of Elsfleth, near Bremen, to further improve the education Being persuaded of the efficiency of the The intensive core business, however, and training of future seafarers. So in the system and taking into account the positive does not account for the only activities end, the growing number of vessels can be effects of using alternative propulsion Beluga Shipping is focussed on. Assuming manned with highly motivated and highly forces, Beluga Shipping plans to equip social responsibility as well is regarded as qualified staff. ■ another two multipurpose heavy-lift project a corporate obligation to the company. carriers of 20,000 tdw, that are currently With the aim of offering optimal support For further information please contact Verena under construction, with towing kites as and rare practical experience to junior Frank on +49 (0) 421 333 23 33, or large as 600 m2. Then, fuel savings in the nautical staff, the Beluga Sea Academy was at [email protected], dimension of up to ten tonnes daily can be established in 2005. Per year up to 160 or visit www.beluga-group.com

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