For the first time, Japan’s NYK Group will use wind-assisted propulsion on one of its ships.
The unit, to be provided by Netherlands-based wingsail producer Econowind, will be installed on the 82,100-dwt NBA Magritte (built 2013).
The kamsarmax bulker is in the fleet of Belgium-based NYK unit NBAtlantic and is on a long-term charter with commodity trader Cargill, which has played a prominent role in promoting maritime decarbonisation.
Cargill is also involved in a similar project with Japanese owner MC Shipping and equipment maker WindWings.
The experiment with the NBA Magritte is part of NYK’s plan to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions on its oceangoing business by 2050.
NBAtlantic said it will collect data on the propulsion generated by the equipment, in addition to meteorological and ocean conditions during navigation, and measure the unit’s effectiveness in collaboration with Cargill.
Featuring a 16-metre vertical wing that plays the role of a sail, Econowind’s VentoFoil will sit on a 6.1-metre-long flat rack container with no walls, which can be installed in various parts of the deck.
The device creates propulsion with the pressure difference on both sides of the wing, taking in wind through its suction port and obtaining greater propulsion by amplifying the pressure difference.
According to NYK, its relatively small size makes sure it is not an inconvenience for cargo handling.
An increasing number of companies are experimenting with rotor sails.
Japan’s Mitsui OSK Lines has teamed up with Vale to retrofit a 200,000-dwt in-service capesize with auxiliary wind propulsion consisting of a pair of 35 metre by five metre rotor sails produced by Finland’s Norsepower — a maker that is also providing Japan’s Iino Lines.
The MOL/Vale experiment is expected to lower fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions by up to 10%.
K Line, another Japanese firm, has a 20-year deal with rotor sails maker Airseas for seawings to be fitted on up to 50 of its ships.
Shipowner Berge Bulk has ordered rotor sails from Anemoi Marine Technologies.
Last September, China Merchants Energy Shipping took delivery of a new VLCC that is equipped with four rotor sails.
