Hey physists. Fuel for these supertankers is going to get very expensive

[daninthemoon]

very soon. Can 21st century engineering and manufacturing technology equip supertankers and super cargo carriers with wind sails? Transit time would suffer, but could they be moved by wind? The oil is going away, so how are we going to move these ships?

[GreenPartyVoter]

1. They already are experimenting with kite sails. It helps somewhat with

fuel costs but it's not a perfect solution.

http://blog.wired.com/cars/2008/01/kite-powered-fr.html

[BlueCollar]

2. they're working on it...

http://www.autobloggreen.com/2008/03/31/beluga-skysails-maiden-voyage-a-success-with-video/

[DemoTex]

3. Simple is simple and a boat is a boat.

My kayak is a boat. I paddle it. Simple. When the wind is behind me and I am tired, I open a simple umbrella. Then I sail .. simply. Legs outstretched, relaxing. Arms relaxing. Wind moving, simply, my simple boat.

[gristy]

4. cool - do you have a picture?

An umbrella for a sail. Who'd a thunk? Sounds very peaceful.

[DemoTex]

14. Here is me in the FolBot kayak, sans sail.

This is exactly where I will be kayaking tomorrow in the Florida panhandle! This pic is from 2004 or so.

[drm604]

5. If the oil goes away why would need to move supertankers?

:shrug:

[BlueCollar]

8. maybe because oil isn't the only thing transported on a ship?

:shrug:

[drm604]

9. Of course there are other things transported on ships,

but the OP mentions putting sails on supertankers if the oil goes away. Is there anything other than oil that is transported on supertankers as opposed to ships in general?

[BlueCollar]

11. Given the size and cost of a supertanker

I'd assume that conversion from fuel oil to other liquid cargoes might be a viable option.

[DavidMS]

6. We are moving in that direction

There are some efforts in this direction.

http://dotearth.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/01/23/look-its-a-freighter-its-a-sailboat-its-both/

Of course, when oil stays north of $120, we will probably see a new generation of sail-powered ships.

[TygrBright]

7. What's a physist? n/t

[lame54]

10. You know, as in 'Get a brain Physists"

[HooptieWagon]

12. Nuclear Carriers have been around for 40-some years

Should work just fine in a supertanker.

[cherokeeprogressive]

13. Ohhhh... You said nuclear!

I'm tellin'!