Wind-Powered Shipping: A Sustainable Future
Modern sails are making a comeback in commercial shipping, particularly for bulk carriers and oil tankers, according to Andrew Dickson, a board member of the Smart Energy Council in Australia. With a background in sailing and naval service, Dickson emphasizes that wind-assisted propulsion can significantly reduce emissions in the shipping industry, which is projected to see a 40% increase in emissions by 2050 if no action is taken. Recent advancements in wind technology are paving the way for a greener maritime future.
Harnessing Wind for Cleaner Shipping
Andrew Dickson, who has dedicated years to exploring renewable energy solutions, recently traveled across several countries, including Singapore, the UK, and Germany, to investigate the potential of wind-assisted ship propulsion (WASP). He believes that bulk carriers and tankers are ideal candidates for this technology due to their slower speeds, which create favorable wind conditions for aerodynamic lift. Unlike container ships, these vessels face fewer logistical challenges when integrating sails.
Currently, 77 large merchant ships are equipped with wind propulsion systems, with an additional seven vessels awaiting installation. The demand for wind-assisted technology is growing rapidly, with over 130 installations on order for delivery by 2025/26. Projections indicate that by 2030, nearly 11,000 ships could be outfitted with WASP, potentially rising to 40,000 by 2050, representing about 45% of the global fleet.
As Dickson points out, the shipping sector emits more greenhouse gases than Germany and is a major contributor to global emissions. With nearly 40% of shipping activity related to transporting energy commodities, the need for cleaner alternatives is urgent. Dickson advocates for Australia to lead the charge in the Asia Pacific region by supporting local maritime innovators and facilitating funding for wind-assisted solutions.
Recent Developments and Success Stories
Recent advancements in wind-assisted shipping have been marked by significant milestones. Last week, Union Maritime took delivery of the Long Range 2 tanker, Spa, which is equipped with two WindWings from Bar Technologies, making it the world’s first LNG and wind-powered LR2 tanker. Union Maritime’s Managing Director, Laurent Cadji, emphasized the importance of this development in their long-term strategy for emissions
https://nauticalvoice.com/western-marine-bounces-back-set-to-export-8-ships-to-uae/23107/ reduction.
In another notable achievement, Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) received approval for two new designs of LNG carriers featuring wind-assisted propulsion units. Preliminary calculations suggest potential fuel savings of up to 30% per voyage, with plans to install these units on 25 vessels by 2030 and 80 by 2035.
Early adopters of WASP technology have reported impressive results. For instance, TOWT vessels operating between Le Havre and Guadeloupe achieved emissions as low as 1.59 grams of CO2 per tonne transported, a stark contrast to the 20 grams emitted by conventional container ships. Similarly, Union Maritime’s Brands Hatch vessel demonstrated significant fuel savings, avoiding 13 tonnes of CO2 emissions per day. These successes illustrate the potential of wind-assisted technologies to transform the shipping industry.
As Dickson concludes, the widespread adoption of WASP could mirror the rapid growth seen in solar energy. With the right policies and bold actions from shipping companies, wind-assisted propulsion may soon become a standard practice in the maritime sector, paving the way for a sustainable future.
