A new 50/50 joint venture will focus on developing technology for ’modern’ fully wind-powered vessel propulsion system
Billed as AlfaWall Oceanbird, the venture aims to develop a wind propulsion system based on ’telescopic winged sails’, which if ’fully applied’ can reduce emissions by 90% on the largest ocean-going vessels, according to the new company.
In a statement from July announcing the launch of the newly formed venture, the groups said the system is made up of "an array of rigid wing sails, built from steel and composite materials, that generate forward movement instead of vertical lift".
The statement said the wing sails will be able to turn 360° and would be trialled on a transatlantic car carrier.
At 200-m long, the wings will propel the car carrier across the Atlantic in 12 days, at an average speed of 10 knots, the group said, noting that the technology is applicable to all vessel types.
Wallenius Marine chief operating officer Niclas Dahl has been chosen as the managing director of AlfaWall Oceanbird, and the new venture will focus primarily on the vessel’s technical sailing aspects, such as the vessel control system that will steer the wing sail operation.
“COP26 put the need for accessible technology in the spotlight,” Mr Dahl said. “Decarbonizing shipping is imperative, and wind is a free source of power with a substantial role to play, and minimum need of infrastructure.”
Alfa Laval marine division president Peter Nielsen said the wing sails will be 80-m tall and retractable. “Besides adjusting to catch the wind, they can be lowered to pass under bridges, to handle harsh weather conditions or for maintenance. Because they will interact with the hull in a sophisticated way, they will also require intelligent control,” Mr Nielsen said.
The new business venture builds on a prior collaboration between the two companies in the ballast water treatment market, PureBallast.
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