DNV praises rapid uptake of wind-assist
The market for wind-assisted propulsion is growing, DNV says (Source: DNV)
The rapid uptake of wind-assist in shipping means that the technology should be considered a regulatory compliance option, said classification society DNV in a white paper released last week.
Highlighting that there are now 97 newbuilds on order with wind-assisted propulsion, DNV CEO Knut Ørbeck-Nilssen said that the business case for sails “is building.”
“They are already delivering significant fuel savings when matched to the right vessel type and operational profile,” he said. “And as part of the suite of new energy efficiency technologies, wind-assisted ship propulsion (WASP) is stepping up to deliver immediate emissions reductions and play a growing role in the maritime decarbonisation journey.”
About 75% of sail installations are currently retrofits, with thousands of candidate vessels in the running to have sails installed. Unlike carbon capture (CCS), another principal vessel retrofits growing in significance, sail power stands to reduce shipowner operating costs as well as reducing fees relating to emissions regulation compliance. FuelEU, for example, offers a 1 to 5% reward factor for vessels equipped with sails.
“Current WASP technologies use advanced control and automation systems, combining aerodynamics, automation, computer modelling, and modern materials,” said Hasso Hoffmeister, Senior Principal Engineer at DNV. “Today, these technologies are not widely adopted but show significant promise as a component in hybrid propulsion systems. Looking ahead, we might see the first pure wind-powered modern large cargo vessel, Orcelle, contracted in the next few years.”
