It WILL work somewhat, as long as the wind is at your back. How often is that? Any regular sailors in here wanna answer that?
The better option is hybrid vessels (maybe). Diesel generators powering up battery banks; electric drive motors. However, the weight of a mega container ship might not allow for such a setup. Just imagine how heavy those are. Sails gonna push that weight at 25 knots? They're gonna have to be some big-ass sails and parachutes. Assuming again that there's wind in the first place.
Parachute rigger here.
It could work IF you can keep it stable.
IMO parafoil kites are not stable flying in a crab.
I've seen this concept over 20 years ago.
It WILL work somewhat, as long as the wind is at your back. How often is that? Any regular sailors in here wanna answer that?
The better option is hybrid vessels (maybe). Diesel generators powering up battery banks; electric drive motors. However, the weight of a mega container ship might not allow for such a setup. Just imagine how heavy those are. Sails gonna push that weight at 25 knots? They're gonna have to be some big-ass sails and parachutes. Assuming again that there's wind in the first place.