
Lade AS's Vindskip concept is a hybrid merchant vessel designed for sustainable sea transport, driven by the wind and liquefied natural gas.

Lade AS claims the ship's airfoil shape will allow it to point up to 18 degrees into the wind, a vacuum on the side sheltered from the wind propelling the ship forward. Onboard computers will allow navigation based on optimum weather conditions, maximizing fuel efficiency. It's just one example of a new generation of renewable energy technology being used to power boats.

German company Skysails says its towing kites can reduce fuel costs and emissions for cargo ships. It says the kites can generate 25 times more thrust per square meter than conventional sails, and in good wind conditions can deliver the equivalent of 2,000 kW of propulsion.

Based in Australia, Ocius Ocean Technology claims its solar sails can save between 20-40% of fuel. Designed to work in winds of up to 44 knots, they track the movement of the sun for maximum sun exposure, and in the event of high winds, fold down against the boat.

Ocius' technology has been adapted to a variety of boats. Here, the "Suntech Solar Sailor" makes her maiden voyage.

30 meters long, MS Turanor has enough solar panels to cover two tennis courts. The Swiss vessel is the largest solar power catamaran in the world and the first of its kind to circumnavigate the planet.

MS Turanor tours regularly, and since circumnavigating the globe it beat its transatlantic record in 2013, crossing the ocean in a mere 22 days.

The E/V Orcelle, created by Norwegian designers Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics, is a zero-emissions concept, using fuel cells and wave power to generate electricity.

Designed as a cargo ship, its creators hope the concept will become a touchstone for future nautical engineering, and that elements of its radical design will be incorporated by shipbuilders over the coming years.




