With their minds on a sustainable future, Dutch firm DSM and Skysail have looked to the past. The companies have taken a centuries-old approach to solving the fuel challenges of today’s cargo ships, reintroducing the use of sails onto massive oil tankers.

The kite sail doesn’t look a traditional sail on ships from the seafaring past. It attaches to a variety of vessels by a light weight tow rope made with Dyneema, which DSM says is the world’s strongest fiber. Shipping accounts for 90% of international trade and in turn is responsible for over 3% of World CO2 emissions. DSM and Skysail’s kite sail reduces fuel use and related CO2 emissions by 35%, the company says.

This video explains the sail and its innovative twist on the traditional concept of harnessing wind to power ships across oceans. It touches on the composition and benefits of science and calls attention to development of future sails. It sounds like a blast from the past, but this sail looks nothing like you’d imagine.