Slow boat to China: Cargo ships are cutting their sailing speeds to reduce costs.Courtesy mikebaird

Save 40% on fuel costs by slowing down 20%

Slower speeds also reduce pollution. Too bad that is not why the shipping companies are slowing down. The tough economic times has forced many to think of ways to cut costs.

$100 million in fuel savings

It is believed that Maersk, the world's largest shipping line, with more than 600 ships has saved more than $100 million on fuel since it began its go-slow policy. Instead of the standard 25 knots to 20 knots, some container ships are slowing down to 12 knots (about 14 mph). This is slower than the speed of sailing clippers such as the Cutty Sark more than 130 years ago.

Works for cars and trucks, too

Driving too fast or rapid acceleration wastes money.

You can lower your gas mileage by 33 percent at highway speeds and by 5 percent around town.
You can assume that each 5 mph you drive over 60 mph is like paying an additional $0.24 per gallon for gas. fueleconomy.gov

There should be a law

Saving money and reducing pollution should be a no-brainer but people with too much money often choose to speed. I think slowing down should be mandatory.

Learn more about speed vs saving

Source Modern cargo ships slow to the speed of the sailing clippers The Guardian