New wind-assisted sail technology begins land-based testing  

The company said FastRig’s design has been developed with input from shipowners and cargo owners. The first unit received financial support from MOL Dry Bulk, Scottish Enterprise and private investors, while for the design, Smart Green Shipping collaborated with naval architect Humphreys Yacht Design. Argo Engineering translated the high-performance design into practical engineering. 

FastRig will undergo its land tests at Hunterston PARC in Scotland before commencing ship trials later this year.

Smart Green Shipping founder and chief executive Diane Gilpin said, “Over the past year, wind power has finally become a key part of the emissions-reduction conversation in the shipping industry as the need to decarbonise to remain compliant is embraced. Wind is the obvious solution – it’s abundant [and] freely ... available to any ship equipped to harness it. Unlike other greening solutions, wind-assist saves money.”

The company said the phase of extensive land-based testing is crucial to not only ensure the technology’s safety and reliability, but to give seafarers and shipowners the chance to see the technology’s ongoing design development.

Built out of aluminium, FastRigs are lightweight and designed for installation on a vessel’s deck. The sails are capable of retracting in light winds to avoid creating additional wind resistance that would require more engine power. The wing sails also retract in heavy weather to improve safety, to manoeuvre in and out of ports, navigate under bridges and when loading and discharging cargoes.

According to Smart Green Shipping, a collaborative feasibility study conducted in 2018-2019 measured emissions saved by FastRigs on a Panamax on its usual route and normal operating speed and predicted the wingsail would save up to 20% emissions per annum.

This analysis was undertaken with the University of Southampton and the company claims its latest design can help cull another 10% in emissions.

The next few months will see Smart Green Shipping perform land-based testing of the rig to assess safety, operational, technical and mechanical systems, in collaboration with project partners.

FastRig is one of many wind-assisted mechanical sails in an expanding marketplace. Recently, DNV issued an approval in principle for the Oceanbird Wing 560, a wind-assisted propulsion system from a venture between Swedish ship designer Wallenius Marine and Alfa Laval. BAR Technologies has signed up commercial production partners while Norsepower partnered with Japanese partners to launch a mechanical sail leasing initiative for customers interested in taking on the technology.