German heavy cargo shipping specialist Beluga Shipping GmbH is trying to sail its way out of high oil prices with an innovative sail system that it hopes will immediately reduce cargo ships' fuel consumption by up to 15 per cent.

The system, used on a vessel called Beluga SkySails, looks more like a parasail parachute than a sail. Sitting in front of the vessel, the crescent-shaped towing kite measures 160m across and uses no masts, which means that it does not restrict loading operations, says the company.

The system, which is likely to save 10 to 15 per cent on fuel consumption by relieving pressure on the engine, will be increased to a 320sq m model later in the year with a corresponding increase in fuel savings. The company plans up to 600m versions for two further vessels.

"On this basis, fuel savings in the dimension of up to 10 tons daily can be anticipated according to present-day estimates, corresponding to a reduction in ship voyage expenses of over $6,000," said the company.

The Clean Cargo Group, a working group created by Business for Social Responsibility in 2001 to examine environmental efficiencies in transport, says that companies using ocean carriers within their supply chain are increasingly concerned about carbon emissions and soaring fuel costs.

"Anything that ocean carriers can do to improve that is a good example of the type of innovation that these shippers are looking for," said Raj Sapru, manager of advisory services for the working group.

As the SkySail prepared for its maiden voyage from Bremen to Venezuela this month, oil prices last week hit a record high of $100.09 per barrel.