We have been keeping a close eye on the progress of MV Beluga Skysail for you. This hybrid Prius-of-the-sea has traveled the 11,952 nautical miles from Germany to Venezuela, the United States and Norway quite successfully. The completion of her maiden voyage marks the beginning of what the company feels is a "a new chapter in the history of commercial shipping." And with a demonstrated ability to achieve a 20 percent fuel savings, who are we to argue?

Not ones for resting upon laurels, the next phase of this pilot program is set to begin with the doubling of the size of the 160 square-meter SkySails which should result in twice the fuel and emissions savings. If that sounds ambitious consider that two additional larger ships are currently under construction that are to be equipped with 600 square-meters of sail. Arrr me mates, a re'olution be a'happenin'. Hit the jump for a little foreign language maiden voyage video action.

The Skysail, a giant kite used to help propel ships, has made its debut as you can see in the Reuters video above. MV Beluga Skysail is the world's first cargo ship to use the Skysail and the ship will make its maiden voyage in early 2008 from Germany to Venezuela. The Skysail is 400 feet long and the kite can rise 100 yards into the sky, controlled by a computer system. The system costs $725,600 but it pays for itself in a few years because it saves 20 percent in fuel (about $1,600 a day). Below the fold is another video of the Skysail in action.

Related:

• Kite sails could help lower ship emissions and fuel mileage
• Build a kite big enough for a ship, and you'll save fuel

[Source: Reuters, YouTube via Treehugger, Gizmodo]