1y ago

To keep trade flowing, the US is now using aircraft carriers to move containers around the globe

36 comments

All US aircraft carriers are nuclear powered so no more burning fossil fuels. Environment = Saved 🌱
- I remember reading about nuclear powered shipping vessels being pitched a few years ago.
  
  Given the state of a lot of ships, I wouldn't want these companies using nuclear power
  
  The problem is that most countries don’t have a port to accept a nuclear vessel and don’t want one in their country.
  
  lol, there actually was a few, but that is back in ye old days. 1968 - Otto Hans. 1972 - Mutsu. 1988 - Sevmorput (only one still running - but planned decomission is apparently in 2024)
- Well, they still have a ton of greased up machinery below deck and they still need to properly store and dispose of bilgewater, so not perfect by any measure, but still way better than any other type of shipping.
  
  a ton of greased up machinery below deck
  Title of your sex tape!
  
  12nm out to sea, everything is legal!
  Just remember, dilution is the solution to pollution

I have an idea. I know it sounds far fetched, probably won't work but hear me out. What if they put large poles on ships and hung a big canvas from each of them? The wind could blow against these, generating free thrust and it can make the ships go faster. Wonder if anyone's ever tried that before.
- But what about the oil companies who make massive profits selling the worst, bottom of the barrel, shit-tier bunker oil to cargo ship operators because regulations don't exist on international waters? Won't someone think of the oil companies?
  
  Won’t someone think of the oil companies?
  I will, and my thoughts are below.
- I'm sure a ship that can do that will be able to carry at least 1 shipping container, maybe 2 if they're really light. Should be perfect.
  
  Published Feb 19, 2023 12:37 PM by The Maritime Executive
  Sailing cargo ships are making a genuine comeback. Japanese bulk carrier MOL is operating a wind-assisted ship. American food giant Cargill is working with Olympic sailor Ben Ainslie to deploy WindWings on its routes. Swedish shipping company Wallenius is aiming for Oceanbird to cut emissions by up to 90%. The French start-up Zephyr & Borée has built the Canopée, which will transport parts of European Space Agency’s Ariane 6 rocket this year.
  https://maritime-executive.com/editorials/sailing-cargo-ships-are-making-a-genuine-comeback
- There are actually a few cargo ships using Flettner Rotors. They can't completely power the ship - they require a bit of power themselves for the rotation - but they can noticeably offset fuel consumption.
- Yup
- https://www.cnn.com/2023/06/30/travel/airseas-giant-kites-ships-slash-carbon-emissions-scn-climate-spc/index.html