Finnish auxiliary wind propulsion systems company Norsepower on Monday (29 June) said it has formed an agreement with maritime logistics provider Sea Cargo to install two of Norsepower’s largest Rotor Sails on board the SC Connector, a sidedoor Ro-Ro.
The agreement also marks the installation of the world’s first tiltable Rotor Sail, showcasing the innovative design adaptations that can be made for individual vessel requirements, it said.
The Norsepower Rotor Sail is the first third-party verified and commercially operational auxiliary wind propulsion technology for the global maritime industry.
The solution is fully automated and detects whenever the wind is strong enough to deliver fuel and emission savings, at which point the Rotor Sails start automatically, explained the company.
The SC Connector, a 8,843 dwt Ro-Ro cargo vessel operates in the North Sea, which allows for some of the most favourable wind conditions for Rotor Sails.
The routes involve navigating under multiple bridges and powerlines which require the Rotor Sails to have a tilting function, explained the company.
Working in tandem, Norsepower and SEA-CARGO combined their expertise to develop the 35m high and 5m wide Rotor Sails to enable them to tilt to almost horizontal when required.
Norsepower noted that the Rotor Sail Solution – which can be installed on new vessels or retrofitted on existing ships – is a modernised version of the Flettner rotor, a spinning cylinder that uses the Magnus effect to harness wind power to thrust a ship.
Preparations for the retrofit on the SC Connector are currently taking place with the installation scheduled for Q4 2020.
Norsepower said it has analysed the routes for the SC Connector and estimates that its technology would be able to achieve a carbon emissions reduction of 25% for this vessel.
“We are delighted to be working with SEA-CARGO, not only as they are keen to demonstrate their commitment to maximising the propulsive power of wind to reduce emissions, but also for their cooperation and innovation in making tilting Rotor Sails a realisation,” said Tuomas Riski, CEO, Norsepower.
“Rotor Sail ensures we are providing an adaptable solution which fits with particular vessel requirements, specifically demonstrating vessels with height restrictions to benefit from the Rotor Sail solution.”
Photo credit: Norsepower
Published: 30 June, 2020
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