What do you think about these methods for improving the fuel efficiency of shipping?

Question

Shipping is considered one of the more "fuel efficient" means of transporting goods. Is this an oxymoron, or can changes like these produce a substantial impact on fuel consumption and emissions?

http://www.nature.com/news/2008/080820/pdf/454924a.pdf

Answer 1

If all the cargo ships in the world completely stopped using fuel, the impact would be entirely insignificant.  Some of these ideas may save money for shippers, but they will not have an impact on the environment or the fuel supply.

Answer 2

ground delivery is so far the best.

  

Answer 3

They are all good ideas, but the question is are they cost effective on the bottom line?  If they are people will use them.

They most cost effective means is something we can all do.

"BUY LOCAL"  

Answer 4

By the time one ship goes over the ocean, how many plane flights have gone over(and how much fuel has been used in comparison)   There is the waste.

Answer 5

Anything that improves fuel efficiency is worth looking at regardless of whether the shipper saves money or the consumer...

As Ben notes, sails on big cargo ships have been talked about for decades and there are a few shipsout there at the moment that use kites to help reduce fuel consumption

Answer 6

Those are some interesting ideas.  Actually I have heard of large ships using sails about 20 years ago.  It's an old idea, but it works.    

Answer 7

I think they should go back to using oars.