Using sails reduced ship's fuel use and carbon dioxide emissions, company data indicates
Retrofitting giant, rigid sails to a cargo ship has effectively cut its fuel use and carbon dioxide emissions, shipping firm data shows.
Cargill says the data "Underscores the potential" of wind to reduce the shipping industry's carbon footprint.
Experts describe the results as "Very encouraging", but say, at present, only a tiny volume of the international shipping fleet is using the technology.
After having the wings fitted in Shanghai, the ship set sail in August 2023.
Cargill says the ship spent half a year sailing the Indian and Pacific Oceans and the North and South Atlantic, during which time it used on average three tonnes less fuel each day.
The company says it is "Engaging" with more than 250 ports worldwide to find ways for ships fitted with the sails to berth.
BAR Technologies, the UK firm which designed the wings, is seeking other ships to fit, and says it will use three wings rather than two in future, increasing the fuel and emissions saved.
Stephen Gordon, managing director at the maritime data firm Clarksons Research, highlighted the fact that this trial had taken place with a refurbished, rather than a brand new ship.
"The option to retrofit to an existing fleet - as has been done with the Pyxis Ocean - is very helpful," he told the BBC. "It will take decades to deliver all the new ships needed for the decarbonisation journey. Even today shipyards globally are full and lead times for delivery are averaging 3.5 years."
"To tackle climate change, the shipping industry needs to cut its use of fossil fuel rapidly."These essential technologies make major inroads into that challenge, and should be deployed and retrofitted as standard," he told the BBC..