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Norwegian firm Hatteland Display AS has announced that SkySails, the innovative wind propulsion system for ships, will utilise their displays and computers to operate its towing kites.

The control system for Hamburg-based SkySails, which uses large towing kites to reduce emissions and reportedly lower fuel costs by 10 to 35 percent a year, requires highly reliable displays and computers to ensure safe and efficient operation.

The ship's crew are able to operate the SkySails system from the bridge. The automatic control system performs the tasks of steering the towing kite and adjusting its flight path, so in order to provide the maximum fuel efficiency, the computer must be able to reliably handle the complex software and multitude of external sensors that make it all happen.

All information on the operation status of the system is displayed in real-time on the display of the SkySails control panel and must be easily accessible for the crew at all times.

In a statement, Hatteland Display said its 19" Series 1 Maritime Multi Displays (MMDs) were chosen by Skysails because "they are the most proven marine bridge displays in the market."

Mario Haake, a Sales Engineer based in Hatteland Display's German office, who has led the work with SkySails added "SkySails is an exciting project for us as it is technically challenging and very much in the public eye right now. Their requirements for the control system computers and displays are very high, but the Hatteland Display reputation of quality and reliability ensures confidence in the equipment that we will supply."

SkySails is already onboard several cargo vessels and shipping company Wessels was reported to have ordered three more systems in July 2008.

In order to find out more about Hatteland Display's extensive range of computers and marine displays please visit www.hatteland-display.com.