Dutch owner Boomsma Shipping has agreed a deal to use wind propulsion on one of its multipurpose (MPP) vessels.
The company said it signed a contract with compatriot eConowind for two of its VentiFoils, which are ridged wing profiles acting as sails.
eConowind says they are non-rotating and create "superior thrust" by means of the principle of boundary-layer suction, for which ventilators are mounted inside.
The thrust of the propeller can be reduced to maintain the same speed, leading to fuel savings and emission reductions, Boomsma said.
"Even with the restrictions and challenges that face the shipping industry with the coronavirus pandemic and the latest low oil prices, wind assisted propulsion solutions are still making headway," the company said.
European cash helps company
The company is being helped by the Wind Assisted Ship Propulsion (WASP) project funded by the Interreg North Sea Europe programme, part of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
The installation of the system is scheduled for September 2020, barring any delays given the current situation.
It will be monitored and evaluated throughout the rest of 2020 and 2021.
"We believe it is necessary and very important to accept sustainability challenges to reduce our environmental footprint. Together with the IMO decarbonisation goals for 2050 we want to do our part to reduce our fuel consumption and CO2 emissions as soon as possible," said Johan Boomsma, co-owner of Boomsma Shipping.
He added: "With the help of the Wind Assisted Ship Propulsion (WASP) project, we will install this innovative technology on one of our vessels and research the actual operations and monitor the savings, which are expected to be in the region of 10%. Doing so, we will contribute to an environmentally friendlier shipping industry."
