The first bulk carrier powered by wind technology and a rigid sail is already sailing the oceans

Hard to imagine international trade without the role ships play in the supply chain. On board its holds and among the stacks of containers that it transports on deck, it moves about 77% of the foreign trade of the European Union and 35% of the intra-community, according to figures collected by the European Environment Agency (EEA).

The reverse of these percentages, as collected by the community body, is the volume of pollution that it causes: about 13.5% of all greenhouse gas emissions generated by the transport sector in the EU, a proportion that falls behind the land sector, but which in 2019 was equivalent to 1.63 million tons of sulfur dioxide.

There are already movements in the sector to alleviate these emissions. There are those who choose to bet on hydrogen or electric ships and those who are looking for new options to get more out of what has historically been the great ally of marine traffic: the wind, either by returning to old sailboats or with new technology that helps make the most of your momentum.

On that path, the sector has just given a valuable step.

Less polluting transport

Some days ago the port of newcastle, in Australia, reported that it had just received on its maiden voyage the Shofu Maru, the world’s first bulk carrier to work in part thanks to wind power. The ship, with a record 100,422 tons (tn) deadweight, 235 meters long and 43 meters wide, it is owned by the Japanese shipping company Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL).

If it is so special, however, it is because of the technology it incorporates to support its movement: the Wind Challenger systema rigid telescopic sail able to capitalize on streaks.

“Mainly developed by MOL and Oshima Shipbuilding, it uses a hard telescopic sail that harnesses the energy of the wind to propel the ship. The installation of the system allows to reduce the amount of fuel used for its operation, which is expected to reduce the environmental impact and improve economic efficiency”, score from Mitsui OSK Lines.

The structure is made of fiberglass and can reach a height of 55 meterswhich makes it easier for the ship to take on the mission entrusted to it: coal transportation.

The system –Accurate Offshore Energy— allows merchant ships to significantly reduce fuel consumption and emit around 5 to 8% less greenhouse gases. Own Port of Newcastle calculates that the rigid sail will reduce the harmful emissions of the Shofu Maru by your trip between Japan and Australia in a percentage that is around 5%.

The Japanese shipping company would not consider staying alone in the experience of Shofu Maru. In August the company announced its plans to equip a second bulk carrier with the Wind Challenger system that will be dedicated to the movement of wood pellets. The delivery time that is handled is 2024.

Another of the proposals on the table is to take advantage of rotor sails (sail rotor), which could also provide an extra by taking advantage of the impulse of the wind and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. just a year ago the Japanese firm advertised an agreement precisely to assess the capacity of the devices, of the British Anemoi Marine Technologies.

Wind Challenger or Anemoi Marine systems are not the only ones seeking to make the most of the wind to propel ships. Another equally interesting solution is Airsea’s. His bet goes through the use of gigantic kites, 500 square meters, which are deployed to take advantage of the strength of the gusts. His device is called “Seawing” and according to company estimates, it would allow vessels to cut fuel consumption by 20%.

The goal is clear in all cases: to achieve greener shipping.

Images: Port of Newcastle Y Mitsui OSK Lines