Anemoi Marine Technologies, a UK-based Rotor Sail developer, on Tuesday (10 September) said it was awarded a Type Approval Design Certificate from classification society DNV for its Rotor Sail design measuring 5 metres in diameter and 35 metres in height. 

The Type Approval Design Certificate (TADC) was retrospectively presented to Anemoi during a special ceremony at SMM in Hamburg, Germany, on 5 September 2024. 

The certificate validates that Anemoi's 5x35m Rotor Sail design complies with DNV's technical standard (ST-0511) for Wind Assisted Propulsion Systems (WAPS) .

Kim Diederichsen, CEO of Anemoi, said: "We are delighted to have received this important Type Approval from DNV, which is a testament to the rigorous design and engineering work undertaken by our team.”

“This certification provides shipowners and operators with the assurance they need to invest in our 5x35m Rotor Sail solution, which has already been selected for upcoming installations on several vessels."

Hasso Hoffmeister, Senior Principal Engineer at DNV Maritime, said: “Over the last few years WAPS technologies have continued to go from strength to strength, with the number of installations tripling in just the last year according to estimates from the IWSA.”

“This growth has been built on innovation, safety, and trusted expertise. We are very pleased to build on the excellent collaboration with Anemoi with the presentation of this certificate.”

“Together we are continuing to develop the technical standards and class notations that will enable the momentum behind WAPS to continue to build and enhance shipping’s drive to greater sustainability.”

In May 2024, Anemoi's 5x35m Rotor Sail was installed on the DNV-classed bulk carrier Berge Neblina, owned by Berge Bulk, representing the first commercial deployment of this product size. 

Anemoi has also previously obtained a full Statement of Design Appraisal for the 5x35m Rotor Sail, and has additional installations planned for later this year and into 2025, including on the Sohar Max, a 400,000 DWT VLOC operated by Vale.

Rotor Sails, also referred to as ‘Flettner Rotors’, are vertical cylinders that, when driven to rotate, harness the renewable power of the wind to propel ships. These highly efficient mechanical sails capitalise on the aerodynamic phenomenon known as the Magnus Effect to provide additional thrust to vessels. 

By leveraging wind energy, Berge Neblina will see increased efficiency by reducing the power required from the main engine while maintaining speed, therefore substantially reducing fuel consumption and resulting in less greenhouse gas emissions.

The technology is being increasingly embraced by ship owners, primarily in the bulker and tanker sectors, who are aiming to achieve net-zero shipping emissions. 

Rotor Sails have emerged as a preferred technology to augment and enhance the energy performance of vessels. Rotor Sails are a compact technology, which offer a large thrust force to propel ships with minimal impact on visibility, stability and port operations, helping them comply with pivotal international emission reduction benchmarks such as the Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) and EEDI/EEXI.

 

Photo credit: Anemoi
Published: 11 September, 2024

The application of wind-assisted propulsion systems (WAPS) across a variety of vessel types is nearing a tipping point with deployment likely to increase rapidly, according to classification society Lloyd’s Register’s (LR) new report published on Tuesday (20 August). 

However, LR emphasised that the lack of standardisation for verifying fuel savings and concerns about equipment availability must be addressed. 

With the industry close to achieving 100 installations and the orderbook reflecting the diversity of vessel types employing WAPS, along with increasingly substantial deployments as technologies move beyond prototype and pilot phases, the absence of a standard for verifying potential fuel savings is creating uncertainty for operators looking to select solutions. 

With WAPS deployment likely to increase rapidly, driven by growing shipyard and operator familiarity with solutions, scaling up the supply chain to meet expected demand is a potential challenge. 

With several suppliers delivering very few units today – but with more suppliers set to enter the market in the near future – shipowners and operators will need confidence that WAPS suppliers can remain competitive and deliver increasing numbers of units without jeopardising project timeframes. 

The report also points to the need for a wider base of shipyards with installation capabilities to meet expected demand, with only around 16 yards to date having carried out WAPS retrofits. While installations are not unfeasibly complex, they may be best implemented over multiple time periods, so project planning is a key consideration. 

Coordinating installations with scheduled maintenance and component lead times, while working out the best time to install, safeguard compliance and minimise carbon cost exposure can prove challenging, the report says. 

Dr Santiago Suarez de la Fuente, LR’s Ship Performance Manager, said: “Wind-assisted propulsion systems are increasingly being used by ship operators to reduce fuel consumption, meet energy efficiency regulations and minimise exposure to carbon costs. With 29 installations between 2018-2023 and 72 in the orderbook, LR’s new research report demonstrates that there is growing confidence in the available solutions.”

Gavin Allwright, Secretary, International Windship Association, said: “There is a perfect storm brewing when it comes to reducing GHG emissions in shipping. New regulations, price challenges for existing and new fuels along with the growing pressure from cargo owners to reduce scope three emissions. These are driving the deployment of wind propulsion technologies, both as wind-assist and primary wind, retrofit and newbuild, however these systems need to be robust, safe and validated in order to build trust in the market and lay the foundation for scaling these across the fleet.”

The Applying wind-assisted propulsion to ships report collates technology insights from LR and industry experts. It includes an in-depth analysis of the current market, cost and compliance drivers, regulatory issues and technical challenges.

LR has been instrumental in driving industry knowledge in WAPS solutions. It developed the first open access online calculator for Flettner rotor fuel savings and has conducted numerous feasibility studies, engineering studies and performance validations on behalf of ship owners and operators, as well as issuing numerous approvals in principle for WAPS solutions. 

Note: LR’s report titled ‘Applying wind-assisted propulsion to ships report’ can be downloaded here. 

 

Photo credit: Lloyd’s Register
Published: 22 August, 2024

NYK Line on Tuesday (23 July) said NYK Bulkship (Atlantic) N.V. (NBAtlantic) has installed two wind-assisted ship-propulsion units on the bulk carrier NBA Magritte on 8 July at the port of Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

The bulk carrier is engaged in a long-term charter contract with Cargill (USA). 

“This is the first time a unit of this type has been installed on an NYK Group vessel,” NYK said on its website. 

Sitting on a 20-foot-long (approximately 6-metre) flat rack container with no walls, VentoFoil has a 16-metre vertical wing that acts as suction sail which expects about 5 times as much force compared to no-suction versions.

Features of VentoFoil

・VentoFoil creates propulsion with the pressure difference on both sides of the wing and is expected to help reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions during vessel navigation.

・It takes in wind through its suction port and obtains greater propulsion by amplifying the pressure difference.

・The system can be easily activated and deactivated through a touch panel installed on the bridge, enabling operation without increasing the crew’s workload.

・It is smaller than similar wind equipment, making it easy to install and relocate.

・It can be folded in about 5 to 6 minutes, keeping it out of the way of cargo handling. (See video below.)

NBAtlantic will collect data on the propulsion generated by this equipment, as well as meteorological and ocean conditions during navigation, and measure the unit’s effectiveness in collaboration with Cargill International Inc. and NYK R&D subsidiary MTI Co., Ltd.

This initiative is part of NYK’s long-term target of net-zero emissions of GHGs by 2050 for the NYK Group's oceangoing businesses. The NYK Group will utilise the knowledge gained in this research and development to promote initiatives related to various energy-saving technologies, including the use of wind power.

 

Photo credit: NYK Line
Published: 24 July 2024