Joint Project to See First Installation of Wind-Powered Energy Tech on a Product Tanker Vessel

Norsepower's rotor sails will be installed and trialled onboard a Maersk Tankers vessel.

Norsepower Oy Ltd. (Norsepower), along with Maersk Tankers, the Energy Technologies Institute (ETI), and Shell Shipping & Maritime (Shell), today announced that Flettner rotor sails will be installed and trialled onboard a Maersk Tankers vessel - the first installation of wind-powered energy technology on a product tanker vessel.

"Demonstrating the technology in this project will make it more attractive to shipping companies and investors, and could play a significant role in reducing the fuel costs and improving the environmental impact of shipping in the future," said Andrew Scott, Programme Manager HDV marine and offshore renewable energy at ETI.

Under the project, Maersk Tankers is set to supply a 109,647 DWT Long Range 2 (LR2) product tanker to be retrofitted with two 30m tall by 5m diameter Norsepower Rotor Sails during the first half of 2018.

Testing and data analysis at sea is expected to be carried out until the end of 2019, with average fuel consumption on typical global shipping routes expected to be reduced by 7-10 percent.

"We are optimistic that support for this trial from these industry leading organisations will open up the market for our technology to a larger number of long-range product tanker vessels – paving the way for ship fuel efficiencies, and ultimately reducing emissions, including greenhouse gases," said Tuomas Riski, CEO, Norsepower.

"As an abundant and free renewable energy, wind power has a role to play in supporting the shipping industry to reduce its fuel consumption and meet impending carbon reduction targets."

Shell is set to act as the project's coordinator, providing operational and terminal and port consultancy to the project team, while Maersk Tankers is set to provide technical and operational insight.

The project will be largely funded by ETI with contributions from Maersk Tankers and Norsepower.

As Ship & Bunker has  reported, Norsepower says its Rotor Sail Solution has been shown to be capable of providing fuel savings of up to 20 percent per year on routes with favourable wind flows, sufficient sized rotor sails, and appropriate service speed.