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SkySails GmbH & Co. KG, the innovative wind propulsion system for ships, has said that it received a positive response during last week's Shipbuilding, Machinery & Marine Technology International Trade Fair (SMM Exhibition) in Hamburg, held on September 7-10 2010.

The German firm, which had a stand at the annual maritime event, commented that it received a number of visits from shipowners interested in finding out more about its fuel-saving technology.

"We had a very good response to our system," said Stephan Wrage, its Managing Partner. "The shipbuilding industry has grasped the importance of ‘Green Shipping'. Our system is not only environment friendly, it also saves fuel. That is why we had so many shipowners coming to our stand."

SkySails propulsion is already in use aboard the cargo ships Beluga SkySails owned by Beluga Shipping, as well as on the Michael A. and Theseus of the Wessels Shipping Company.

Earlier this year, the system was also installed aboard Germany’s largest fishing vessel, the ROS-171 Maartje Theadora.