SkySails Hires Wärtsilä Veteran

Jürgen Gerdes said he has been focusing on ways of reducing fuel use

German wind propulsion and marine performance monitor maker SkySails GmbH (SkySails) says it has hired former Wärtsilä manager Jürgen Gerdes as its new head of sales and services.

Gerdes, who has a master degree in ship operations technology and worked for Wärtsilä for 20 years in various positions, said he has been focusing in recent years on methods of reducing fuel use and emissions, including engine modifications to accommodate slow steaming.

"And because I'm convinced that the shipping industry must change course towards greater efficiency, the move to SkySaiIs – a company recognized as a leader when it comes to systems that make using energy more efficient – was the next logical step for me," he said.

During his career at Wärtsilä, Gerdes led the technical branch office in Busan, Korea, worked in Sales, Warranty & Service in Switzerland, held a job in strategic customer relations, led a project for improved business of two-stroke engine spare parts, and headed an interdepartmental team for energy optimization and slow steaming.

SkySails was established in 2001 as a developer of wind propulsion systems for ships, with products that can replace up to 2 megawatts (MW) of the main engine's propulsion power, according to its website.

It also sells performance monitoring systems designed to help ship owners and operators develop fuel-saving strategies.

Ardmore Shipping Limited (Ardmore) of Ireland ordered monitoring systems from SkySails earlier this year as part of an effort to provide energy-efficient vessels for charterers.