UK shipping group Tufton is expecting to reduce fuel consumption on one of its bulkers by 10% through wind power.
Installation of rotor sails on the 82,000-dwt kamsarmax TR Lady (built 2017) was completed in Chengxi Shipyard in China in June.
Three sails of five metre by 24-metre were provided by Anemoi Marine Technologies.
A transverse rail deployment system enables the sails, which are fixed to the centre line during voyages, to be moved port or starboard when berthed for cargo operations, meaning loading and unloading can continue without being obstructed.
These vertical cylinders, when driven to rotate, harness the renewable power of the wind to provide additional forward thrust.
The vessel has now completed its first voyage with the kit from China to Australia.
During this voyage, Anemoi engineers sailed with the bulker, with positive initial performance results that suggest the TR Lady can see average annual fuel and emissions savings exceeding the original expectations.
The companies said the technology is expected to cut fuel use and emissions by 10% each year.
The performance will continue to be monitored over the coming months.
Wind a ‘key enabler’
Andrew Hampson, chief executive of Tufton, said: “We and our investors are committed to shipping’s decarbonisation journey and believe wind propulsion is a key enabler in helping Tufton reach its 2050 net-zero goals.
“We are very proud to have been able to support this innovative application of decarbonisation technology on [the] TR Lady.”
The vessel is owned by TR Lady Shipping, a portfolio company of Tufton Investment Management, and is on a time charter with trader Cargill.
Jan Dieleman, president of Cargill Ocean Transportation, said: “We are pleased to be partnering with Tufton, who share our decarbonisation ambition and belief in wind propulsion as a key part of the future of shipping.”
