K Line has signed up to fly an automated kite on at least one of its bulkers in a bid to reduce fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions by 20%.

The Japanese shipping giant sealed an agreement with French technology outfit Airseas to install the Seawing kite — based on parafoil technology — on a capesize or post-panamax vessel in November 2021 and service the system for 20 years, according to company executives.