Winged Cargo Ship Saves 3 Tonnes of Fuel Daily on First Voyage

The implementation of winged technology on cargo ships has resulted in significant fuel savings, with the vessel saving three tonnes of fuel per day during its maiden voyage. This achievement marks a notable advancement in maritime efficiency and sustainability efforts.

The concept of combining sail and power is not new and traces back to the earliest steamships. Shipmasters initially hesitated to rely solely on experimental steam engines for ocean crossings. Even today, most sailing boats, except for the smallest ones, incorporate some form of auxiliary power for maneuvering in tight spaces or sailing when the wind is insufficient.

The Evolution of Ship Propulsion

As engine technology advanced, ships evolved into the massive vessels we see today, and shipping timetables became as stringent as my finances. Consequently, sails gradually vanished from commercial ocean transport, although the concept of wind propulsion persisted. While sails might not reclaim their role as the primary means of propelling ships, the prospect of utilizing wind power to supplement fuel and reduce harmful emissions has remained appealing. However, this approach must not rely on extensive canvas sails and large crews manually operating them.

Operated by MC Shipping Kamsarmax and chartered by Cargill, the Singapore-flagged Pyxis Ocean underwent retrofitting with two WindWings, developed by BAR Technologies, to commence an extensive six-month sea trial in August 2023. Throughout this trial, the vessel traversed the Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean, North and South Atlantic, and navigated past Cape Horn and the Cape of Good Hope.

Modern WindWing Technology

Unlike traditional canvas sails seen in historical depictions of ships like the Cutty Sark, the WindWings are solid, collapsible sails constructed from steel and glass fibers, standing at 37.5 meters (123 feet) in height. Their function is not to replace conventional diesel engines but to offer additional propulsion when the ship encounters favorable winds and currents.

Operating the WindWings requires minimal attention. A straightforward red/green traffic system on the bridge indicates to the crew when to activate or deactivate the WindWings. Once activated, they autonomously adjust to wind changes and optimize their trim for maximum speed, allowing the diesel engines to be throttled back without reducing the ship’s pace.

Significant Fuel and Emission Reductions Achieved

According to Cargill, this enabled the Pyxis Ocean to save the equivalent of three tonnes of fuel daily, resulting in a reduction of 11.2 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions (equivalent to removing 480 cars from the road for the duration of the voyage) and an overall savings of 14%.

The next phase involves ensuring that such large-scale sail-equipped ships are compatible with 250 global shipping ports.

“The results of the Pyxis Ocean’s inaugural voyage with WindWings installed clearly demonstrate that wind-assisted propulsion can deliver significant fuel savings and emissions reductions,” said John Cooper, CEO of BAR Technologies. “For instance, in near-optimal sailing conditions during an open sea voyage, the Pyxis Ocean achieved fuel savings of 11 tonnes per day. While the Pyxis Ocean is equipped with two WindWings, we anticipate that the majority of Kamsarmax vessels will be outfitted with three wings, further enhancing fuel savings and emissions reductions by a factor of 1.5. With Cargill now able to validate our performance predictions and modeling in real-world conditions, it’s an exciting time as we commence WindWings production on a global scale.”

Read the original article on: New Atlas

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