NYK BULKSHIP (Atlantic), an NYK Group company, has installed two wind propulsion units on the bulk carrier NBA Magritte, it said in an announcement yesterday (23 July).
Installation of the VentoFoil wind-assisted ship-propulsion units was conducted at the port of Rotterdam, Netherlands, and completed earlier this month on 8 July.
NBA Magritte is engaged in a long-term charter contract with USA bulk shipping provider Cargill. Last year, NYK Bulkship announced their intention to retrofit a vessel under charter to Cargill with two wind foils.
Sitting on a six metre-long flat rack container with no walls, each VentoFoil unit, referred to as a suction sail, has a 16 metre vertical wing that generates lift by catching the wind with an air intake system, which controls a boundary layer of fluid around the structure.
VentoFoil creates propulsion with the pressure difference on both sides of the wing and is expected to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions during vessel navigation. NYK says the unit takes in wind through its suction port and obtains greater propulsion by amplifying the pressure difference.
The system can be activated and deactivated through a touch panel installed on the ship’s bridge, enabling operation without increasing crew workload.
NYK says the suction sails are smaller than similar wind equipment, making it easier to install and relocate, and can be folded in as quickly as 5 to 6 minutes, keeping it out of the way of cargo handling.
NBAtlantic will collect data on the propulsion generated by this equipment, as well as meteorological and ocean conditions during navigation, and measure the unit’s effectiveness in collaboration with Cargill International and NYK subsidiary MTI Co.
This initiative is part of NYK Group’s long-term target of net-zero emissions of greenhouse gasses by 2050 for the NYK’s oceangoing businesses.
NYK Group say they will utilise the knowledge gained in this research to promote initiatives related to various energy saving technologies, including the use of wind power.
