Cargill Reveals the Name of the World's Largest Kite-Powered Vessel

GENEVA, Switzerland, July 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

Cargill has signed an agreement with Greek ship owner/manager Anbros Maritime S.A. (Anbros) to install the world's largest kite on its Aghia Marina dry bulk cargo vessel.  The Aghia Marina typically transports cargoes of agricultural and industrial raw materials.  The 170 metre long carrier, built in 1994, has a service speed of up to 14 knots and can carry about 28,500 tonnes of dry bulk cargoes at any one time, making it the largest vessel to use the wind power technology created by SkySails GmbH (SkySails).  

Last February, Cargill announced it had signed a supply agreement with SkySails that aims to use wind power technology to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the shipping industry. SkySails, based in Hamburg, has developed an innovative, patented technology that uses a kite which flies ahead of the vessel and generates enough propulsion to reduce consumption of bunker fuel by up to 35 percent in ideal sailing conditions.  

"We are delighted to partner with Anbros and announce the Aghia Marina as the largest vessel to use the SkySails technology to date", said Roger Janson, head of Cargill's ocean transportation business.  "As Cargill is one of the world's largest charterers of dry bulk freight, we take our environmental stewardship commitments very seriously and actively seek opportunities to help raise industry standards in a number of areas.   We've had an excellent relationship with Anbros for many years and are delighted that they see the potential of this technology from both an environmental and fuel saving perspective."

Under the terms of the agreement, the 320m2 kite will be installed on the Aghia Marina in the first quarter of 2012, and the system will be fully up and running in a matter of weeks thereafter.  Anbros has now joined Cargill and SkySails in the development and testing of the technology.

For the next five years the Aghia Marina, which Cargill has on long-term charter, will use the SkySails system. SkySails will be responsible for training the crew of the Aghia Marina on how to operate the kite propulsion. The SkySails towing kite will be connected to the ship by rope and will fly in a figure-of-eight formation at a height of between 100 to 420 metres. It is computer-controlled by an automatic pod to maximise wind benefits.

"Anbros Maritime is proud to announce the signing of an agreement with Cargill and SkySails to use wind power to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and fuel costs in the shipping industry," said George J. Angelakis, director of Anbros. "We are honored to have been selected by Cargill to pioneer this ground-breaking green technology. We see this choice as an acknowledgement of our long-standing service in the industry and our reputation for a high standard of operational and technical management, maintenance, reliability and safety. Cargill and Anbros have been collaborating for many years and this agreement will strengthen these ties even further. We are committed to the success of this project in the hope that it will usher in a new era of greener shipping."

"We applaud Anbros for joining this project and selecting the Aghia Marina as the largest vessel to embrace our technology to date", said Stephan Wrage, managing director of SkySails. "We are also very impressed with the drive and ambition shown by Cargill in influencing a ship owner of this significance.  We are confident that this partnership will lead to further developments and in particular see great potential to incorporate our technology on even larger ships in the future."

Cargill is a significant global transporter of agricultural, energy and industrial commodities. Although the company does not today own vessels, its ocean transportation business ships more than 185 million tonnes of commodities each year, in the process connecting supply from areas of surplus with demand in areas of deficit.  

Photos are available for download at http://www.skysails.info/english/information-center/press-lounge/photos-graphics/

Detailed information on the vessel Aghia Marina is available at: http://www.anbros.gr/en/fleet/aghia_marina.html

Notes for Editors

Cargill

Cargill is an international producer and marketer of food, agricultural, financial and industrial products and services. Founded in 1865, the privately held company employs 131,000 people in 66 countries.

Cargill helps customers succeed through collaboration and innovation, and is committed to sharing its global knowledge and experience to help meet economic, environmental and social challenges wherever it does business. For more information, visit http://www.cargill.com

Cargill Ocean Transportation

Cargill's ocean transportation business is headquartered in Geneva with offices in London, Amsterdam, New Jersey, Singapore, Shanghai and Tokyo.

Its global team has a unique blend of experience across shipping, commodities and risk management and offers its customers a number of ocean freight solutions across all dry market segments and tankers.  In recent years, the business has built on its reputation for excellence in risk management by putting a strong focus on raising health & safety and quality standards across the industry. This partnership provides a unique opportunity for our ocean transportation business to build on these high standards and publicly demonstrate its commitment to environmental stewardship.  

Cargill recognises that its continued success depends on the growth and health of its communities and partners, as well as the vitality and conservation of natural resources. The company works with a diverse group of global, national and local organisations to support responsible economic development, help protect the environment and improve communities. For more information, visit http://www.cargill.com/products/energy-transportation/ocean-transportation/index.jsp

SkySails

The Hamburg-based company SkySails GmbH is the market and technology leader for automated towing kite systems. Its internationally patented, high-performance wind propulsion system for cargo ships - the SkySails system - can reduce the fuel consumption of a cargo vessel by 10 to 35% on annual average, depending on the prevailing wind conditions.

The latest SkySails product SKS C 320 has a propulsion power of more than 2,000 kW (approx. 2,700 HP). It can save up to 10 tons of fuel per day as well as SOx, NOx and CO₂ emissions (= approx. 32 tons of CO₂). The SkySails system can be installed as an auxiliary wind propulsion on virtually all existing and new build ships.

SkySails was founded in 2001 and currently has about 80 employees. Lead investors are the renowned ship financing company Jan Luiken Oltmann Gruppe GmbH & Co. KG based in Leer, the highly respected marine engine supplier Zeppelin Power Systems GmbH & Co. KG and the Dutch Life Sciences and Materials Sciences Company Royal DSM N.V.

For more information, visit http://www.skysails.com  

Anbros Maritime S.A.

Anbros Maritime S.A., based in Piraeus, Greece, is a privately owned company, engaged in ship management and the worldwide seaborne transportation of dry bulk raw materials and commodities. These activities are carried out by its self-owned and managed fleet, currently consisting of Handysize and Handymax Vessels.

The Company's in-depth knowledge of the shipping industry, spanning over 75 years, guarantees competent and reliable support to all its customers and business associates. Committed to maintaining a safe and competitive fleet among its global shipping activities, its most valuable assets are the human resources, who, based in the offices, on board the vessels, or ashore, are qualified to meet every challenge with excellent technical expertise and outstanding dedication.

In compliance with international shipping developments, in the ever intense and complex global shipping environment, Anbros manages its fleet in strict and up-to-date conformity with international rules and regulations. The Company's enhanced Planned Maintenance System (PMS) and the continuous monitoring of vessels conditions and performance are a key element to ensuring the high quality standards it has set.

The quality of its fleet and reputation for dependability have lead to long-established relationships with its customers, resulting in Anbros vessels being continuously in demand and employed by major Charterers.

Anbros is a member of the Union of Greek Shipowners (UGS), an Owner Member of the Baltic and International Maritime Council (BIMCO), and is ISM/ISPS certified by the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS). For more information, visit http://www.anbros.gr  

http://www.cargill.com/news-center/news-releases/index.jsp

Contact:       
Cargill: Corinne Holtshausen:
+44-1932-861174 
Corinne_Holtshausen@Cargill.com

Skysails: Anne Staack:
+49-40-702-99-444
anne.staack@skysails.de

Anbros: George J. Angelakis 
info@anbros.gr