The economics of just in time inventory management rests on the rather small advantages in reduced inventory carrying costs. Accordingly, wouldn't a prediction on the time increase / uncertainty involved in tacking as well as an assumption of the costs of increased transit time be required to test your concept?

Years ago I saw a display at the South Street Seaport in New York that indicated that sailing ships survived well into the 20th Century as guano transports for a number of reasons [square rigged experience for ships masters requirements IIRC] but including the time insensitivity of the cargoes ["sh*t happens"? :<)].

Hello R W Reactionary,

Yep, NPK movement just has to happen fast enough to deliver timeliness for synchronization with optimal planting and fertilization cycles. An ocean crossing by sail can take less time than a normal seed-to-harvest cycle. Of course, a ship arriving too late, or not at all, can cause a Liebig minimum disaster.