Wind power is emerging as a contender among the race to
develop new sustainable solutions that address the concerns for the environment
and reducing emissions from the shipping industry. This week alone, three
wind-powered programs advanced while the International Windship Association
(IWSA) announced a new initiative to accelerate the adoption of hybrid
alternative propulsion methods. The association looks to programs that blend
wind, alternative fuels, and energy efficiency measures to achieve measurable decarbonization
of the global shipping industry.
According to the IWSA, there are currently 11 large ocean
going vessels with wind assist systems installed and more than 20 rigs
installed along with two more installations pending this quarter. Further,
there are more than 20 smaller cargo ships using wind technology as well as
sail-powered cruise ships. By 2023, they expect that over 40 large wind
propulsion equipped vessels will be in operation.
“The EU has forecast that up to 10,700 wind propulsion
installations could be in place by 2030, and the UK Clean Maritime Plan
forecasts that wind propulsion technologies will become a £2billion ($2.8
billion) a year segment, with approximately 30,000 installations (equivalent to
40-45 percent market penetration) by the 2050s,” says Gavin Allwright, IWSA
Secretary General.
Among the new technologies being advanced is the Oceanwings
3.6.3 wind assisted propulsion system from the French company AYRO. They were
recently awarded an Approval in Principle (AiP) from DNV GL. After a review of
the main plans and documents of the Oceanwings 3.6.3 system against the
relevant rules for the classification of ships, DNV GL issued the AiP statement
confirming that no significant obstacles exist to prevent the concept from
being realized.
According to AYRO, the system will enable ship owners and
operators to leverage wind energy to improve the energy balance of individual
vessels and fleets, thereby significantly reducing carbon emissions. The wind
propulsion system is a 363 square meter 2-elements wingsail several of which can
be installed onboard vessels to effectively add wind power to the propulsion.
Following 10 years of research, the first prototype in 2017, and the industrial
demonstrator Energy Observer in 2019, AYRO is now manufacturing four Oceanwings
to be fitted on “Canopée”, a RoRo vessel under construction
at Neptune Marine Shipyard. She will be commissioned towards
the end of 2022 by French shipowner Jifmar Guyane and operated by Alizee, a
joint-venture company between Jifmar and Zephyr & Borée, to transport part
of the Ariane 6 rocket program being developed for the European Space Agency.
“Oceanwings are suitable for most types of cargo vessels,
says Ludovic Gérard, CEO of AYRO. “We continue to receive a lot of inquiries
and numerous requests for feasibility studies from shipowners and charterers
worldwide, for both retrofits and new building projects. Our mission and vision
is to support them in designing their vessels as well as fitting and
maintaining the Oceanwings in order to help them meet the challenges of competitiveness
and GHG emission reductions. ''
The famed French shipyard Chantiers de l’Atlantique this
week also announced that it was making progress with its solid sail concept. To
further validate the design concepts and move it toward commercialization, the
shipyard said it will install test versions of the mast, rigging, and sail at
its yard in St. Nazaire.
RoRo ship owner and operator Wallenius Wilhelmsen also
unveiled the beginnings of its designs to commercialize the concept of the
world’s largest sailing ship that would transport cars, vehicles, and machinery
across the Atlantic.
The IWSA is calling this the “Decade of Wind Propulsion,”
launching its new campaign to focus on the delivery, optimization, and
facilitation of wind propulsion. The organization will release a comprehensive
market report and other information campaigns to support the development of the
technology.