EMEA News
Fuel-Saving Wind Propulsion System to Start Sea Trials
Finnish marine engineering company Norsepower Oy said it has started sea trials for an auxiliary wind propulsion system that aims to help ships reduce fuel consumption, reports Maritime Executive.
The Norsepower Rotor Sail Solution will be tested aboard Bore Ltd's M/V Estraden.
The company said that the aim of the pilot project is to prove the savings potential and how usable the technology is, which uses an 18-metre-high rotor sail.
“The Norsepower Rotor Sail Solution, which is appropriate for retrofitting to over 20,000 vessels in the global merchant fleet, can be installed on any vessel without any off-hire costs," said Norsepower CEO Tuomas Riski.
"In favorable wind conditions our solution is able to produce over 10 percent savings in fuel costs with a payback period of less than four years."
The system is designed to allow main engines to be throttled back in times when wind conditions are suitable.
Last month, a new U.K.-based association, the International Windship Association (IWSA), was launched to promote the use of wind power in commercial shipping.
