WinGD Powers Union Maritime’s Eco-Friendly Tankers
Swiss marine power company WinGD is set to revolutionize the shipping industry by integrating hybrid power and energy systems into four new wind-assisted tankers. These vessels, with a deadweight tonnage of 113,600, will be constructed by China’s Xiamen Shipbuilding Industry for the UK-based shipping firm Union Maritime Limited (UML). This groundbreaking project marks the first deployment of WinGD’s X-EL Integrated Energy solution, aimed at enhancing energy efficiency and sustainability in maritime operations.
Innovative Energy Solutions for Enhanced Efficiency
WinGD’s X-EL Integrated Energy solution will play a pivotal role in configuring the hybrid power systems for these tankers. The company will oversee the installation of a shaft generator for the main engines, along with the X-EL energy management system. This innovative approach utilizes the power margin of the main engine rather than relying on auxiliary engines for electricity generation. As a result, the system promises a more fuel-efficient method of energy production and improved flexibility in power management across the vessels.
The X-EL system is designed to optimize power and electrical distribution between the main engine, the shaft generator in power-take-out mode, and the sails. This optimization is expected to enhance energy utilization across extended ranges and various operating conditions. “To maximize the energy savings from wind-assisted propulsion, operators need an energy management system that can optimize engine and electrical power in response to the available wind power,” stated Stefan Goranov, Head of Integrated Energy Solutions at WinGD.
Union Maritime is committed to building the most energy-efficient vessels on the market. Bhuvnesh Dogra, UML’s Head of Technical, emphasized that wind-assisted propulsion is crucial for achieving this goal, alongside effective management of overall power consumption on board. WinGD’s battery-hybrid power integration has already been successfully implemented in vessels since 2022, including two pure car and truck carriers delivered to Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha in May 2023.
Union Maritime’s Commitment to Sustainability
Currently, Union Maritime operates a fleet of approximately 64 vessels, primarily consisting of tankers and bulk carriers. The company plans to expand its fleet by adding another 47 units, with deliveries scheduled between 2025 and 2028, barring any additional orders. As environmental regulations tighten, UML is increasingly adopting advanced marine technologies, particularly wind-power solutions, to create a fully eco-conscious fleet.
In June 2022, UML partnered with the design and engineering firm BAR Technologies to implement wind-assisted propulsion on 34 new ships, including fourteen long-range 2 (LR2) tankers, twelve chemical tankers, and eight medium-range (MR) tankers. Shortly after, UML signed a contract with Finnish cleantech company Norsepower to equip rotor sails on four new builds at Fujian Southeast Shipbuilding and Wuhu Shipyard, with plans for eight additional units to be retrofitted in the future.
As the maritime industry moves closer to its net-zero targets, Union Maritime’s commitment to innovative and sustainable technologies positions it as a leader in eco-friendly shipping solutions.
