Bow windshield
Watching the Solent to see if the sea was as rough as we had been led to expect (it wasn’t) we saw the CMA CGM Montmartre leaving Southampton on her one-month voyage to Port Klang in Malaysia.
She is an extremely large vessel, but was making way on her own, without the assistance of tugs, so presumably was relying on large, effective bow thrusters to make the sharp turn into the main channel.
We noticed her large green bow windshield, or wind deflector. Such devices have been fitted on container ships since 2015. They have proved to improve a ship’s aerodynamic profile, reducing resistance, fuel consumption, and carbon emissions.
At present, bow windshields can only be seen on container ships, but it is expected that environmental considerations will see them becoming more widely employed. They can be retrofitted on existing ships in dry dock.
Sounds like they are a very useful addition to any ship
ReplyDeleteQuite so!
DeleteAnything that reduces emissions is a worthwhile addition.
ReplyDeleteAgreed!
DeleteHow amazing to see a photo with so many containers. When I see trains, rarely here, I know how large the containers are.
ReplyDeleteThey are huge, but they look like matchboxes on a container ship.
DeleteDoes this ship have two names? I'm interested to see the one pictured displays Palais Royal on its side. Interesting about the green thingy on the front. Somebody's thinking.
ReplyDeleteAh,I now see it's not your pic. All is clear now.
DeleteI wondered who would spot that! No photograph available of Montmartre.
DeleteFunny that. I mean they have been making cars, planes, and trains more aerodynamic for decades and never thought about ships until now?
ReplyDeleteIt's only recently that ships are trying to conserve energy and reduce emissions.
DeleteWhat were you doing at Southampton? Catching a boat train to the continent? Ah, the shield deflects the wind from the cargo containers. Good idea.
ReplyDeleteWe were watching from our window on the world!
DeleteI am surprised that it has not yet been painted with a Hello Kitty face!
ReplyDeleteYes! One of the cruise ships has lips painted on the bow. Classy, eh?
DeleteIncreasing the aerodynamics sounds like a good idea.
ReplyDeleteContainer ships are not the most elegant vessels, so anything that improves their progress through the water is to be welcomed.
ReplyDeleteI'll be on the lookout next time we are entering Piraeus harbour. It's a huge port
ReplyDeleteI just looked it up. I'm surprised to see that it's the busiest passenger port in Europe, but then I suppose it's a gateway.
DeleteThat's a helpful innovation
ReplyDeleteNot before time . . .
DeleteGood idea
ReplyDeleteYes. It makes for more efficiency and less pollution.
DeleteWhat a good idea 💡
ReplyDeleteIndeed.
DeleteWe would need a windshield, often it is so windy on the terrace, and we have to play inside.
ReplyDeleteHa ha ha!
DeleteAnd once again I learn interesting things by reading your blog!
ReplyDelete😊
DeleteI've not seen these on cargo ships, but next time I do, I will know what they're for.
ReplyDelete😊
DeleteThey're like "cow catchers" on trains!
ReplyDelete'Whale catchers?'
DeleteReducing fuel consumption is becoming more and more important this year. Reducing carbon emissions has long been important!
ReplyDeleteFuel rationing might be a good idea!!
DeleteSuch a great invention to help reduce resistance and help with the fuel consumption. This is neat to see...
ReplyDeleteEncouraging.
DeleteI've seen some amazing videos of the container ships in strong waves and that's scary.
ReplyDeleteIt can be very scary.
DeleteActually this is pretty amazing.
ReplyDeleteWell thought through.
DeleteContainer ships are huge aren't they. This certainly seems a good idea/invention to help them out at sea.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
They are enormous.
DeleteBow windshield. You learn something new every day!
ReplyDeleteYes you do.
Delete😊
DeleteI see this as container ships have a huge flat surface the would catch lots of wind
ReplyDeleteLots of windage, like a huge sail.
DeleteI do not live near any port, but if I take another cruise, we do see container ships and I’m going to look for this. I don’t think I’ve ever seen it.
ReplyDeleteSomething to aim for.
DeleteInteresting. I've never seen one of those before.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
😊
DeleteI have never seen this, but it seems very sensible.
ReplyDeleteNecessity!
DeleteBow wind shields are a great idea! I have seen container ships since 2002-2003, when I lived close enough to a beach that I could walk there in three minutes. I used to sit on the end of the jetty (pier) and watch as they passed along the horizon heading into the Outer Harbor dock.
ReplyDeleteThey're fascinating to watch. I like the tugs that nurse them along best, though.
DeleteWho knew ships had aerodynamic windshields!
ReplyDeleteAlways enjoy learning something new here.
Happy Friday!
Thank you - you, too.
DeleteIt's like a bowtie.
ReplyDeleteHi Janice - I hadn't come across these - sounds a great idea ... cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteAnything to save energy . . .
ReplyDeleteThat's a good idea that they are being fitted to ships- it does have a very froggy look to it too!!!
ReplyDeleteIt does, rather.
DeleteI guess I am a bit surprised that this wasn't already being done? I've only seen photos of container ships but assumed the shape of the bow of regular ships not only allowed it to cut through the water efficiently, but also aided in the aero-dynamics and am surprised container ships are constructed so differently. But what do I know? Just a landlubber from Nod.
ReplyDeleteContainer ships remind me of large floating bricks!
ReplyDelete