NYK Group to trial wind assisted propulsion aboard bulk carrier
The eConowind Ventofoil will be installed on a NYK Group bulker
NYK Bulkship, an NYK Group company, will introduce a wind-assisted ship-propulsion unit on a bulk carrier on long-term charter to commodity trader Cargill
Bulk carrier NBA Atlantic will be equipped with Dutch wing sail manufacturer eConowind’s VentoFoil wind-assisted propulsion unit.
This marks the first instance of the technology being installed aboard an NYK Group vessel. This unit is expected to help reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions during vessel navigation.
Sitting on a 6-m flat rack container with no walls, VentoFoil has a 16-m vertical wing that plays the role of a sail.
Like an airplane wing, VentoFoil creates propulsion with the pressure difference on both sides of the wing. The unit takes in wind through its suction port and obtains greater propulsion by amplifying the pressure difference. VentoFoil is smaller than similar equipment, making cargo handling easier. And eConowind said it is easy to install and relocate.
NBA Atlantic will collect data on the propulsion generated by this equipment, in addition to meteorological and ocean conditions during navigation, and measure the unit’s effectiveness in collaboration with Cargill International.
The commodities giant, one of the world’s biggest charterers, has previously looked at wind propulsion, working with Deltamarin and BAR Technologies to trial the WindWings propulsion system aboard a Kamsarmax ship.
And Cargill is also working with Danish shipping company J Lauritzen to charter methanol-fuelled bulkers under construction at Tsuneishi Shipbuilding. Those ships are due to enter service 2025 and 2026.
