Berge Olympus: the most powerful sailing cargo ship in the world

A similar tenet drives Mr Marshall, who said, “It is important that we address the issue head on.” The focus, according to Mr Marshall, has been on making ships more efficient, and reducing environmental impact.

The company’s ambition is to achieve carbon neutrality by 2025, introduce a zero-emissions ship by 2030 and operate a zero-emissions fleet by 2050.

Progress has been more than significant, and a theoretical comparison of the Berge Bulk fleet of 2008 shows a 46% reduction in emissions through the use of better paints, energy-saving devices (ESDs) such as rudder ducts, and contributions from seagoing staff in achieving the marginal gains.

“Now we (Berge Bulk) are entering the second phase, the application of new technology,” said Mr Marshall.

Leading the new technology is the retrofit installation of BAR Technologies’ WindWings on 2018-built, 210,000-dwt Newcastlemax dry bulk carrier Berge Olympus.

With four WindWings installed, each possessing an aerodynamic span of 37.5 m height and 20 m width, Berge Olympus is the most powerful sailing cargo ship in the world and produces a saving of six tonnes of fuel per day on an average worldwide route and, in the process, reduces CO2 emissions by approximately 19.5 tonnes per day.

Berge Olympus will sail between Brazil and China – a trade route known for having favourable wind conditions. Improved weather routeing and ocean forecasting systems have been introduced, making the use of wind energy more consistent and better optimised.

In addition to installing the WindWings, Berge Olympus has been retrofitted with a shaft generator system. The shaft generator is driven by the main engine to supply electric power to the vessel, thus saving fuel and reducing emissions.

With a 1-MW capacity, it is sized to eliminate the need to operate auxiliary engines while at sea. This installation is in itself ground-breaking and concludes a programme that saw multiple vessels retrofitted with the technology.

What are the next projects in the Marshall Plan? The targets for the next stage of the Marshall Plan are the same as before, but there is an even wider portfolio of ESD and technologies.

“We are considering all fuel options, including bio-methanol, green methanol, ammonia,” said Mr Marshall, “and nuclear. We also need to address balance,” he said. To that end, the company is exploring carbon capture onboard systems and investing in direct carbon capture and other solutions, such as planting 25M trees to help capture carbon.

This phase of the Marshall Plan is predicated on the new technology BAR Technologies develped and BAR Technologies chief executive John Cooper said, “We are immensely proud to be spearheading wind-assisted propulsion through the development of WindWings and through our shared vision with Berge Bulk to launch the world’s most powerful sailing cargo ship. We cannot afford to stand still in developing sustainable solutions for the shipping industry. We believe there is more to be done to harness wind power and push shipping into a greener, and more efficient era. To that end, we are already working on superior hydrodynamics and new types of accommodation blocks with several vessel designers.”

Yara Marine Technologies has been a keen supporter of BAR Technologies, and its chief executive, Thomas Koniordos said, “Wind-assisted propulsion has the potential to offer immediate long-term solutions for shipping’s pathway to net zero. We are proud to work with trusted partners such as Berge Bulk and ensure this technology can be scaled and manufactured to shipping’s high standards, ensuring a robust and resilient supply chain that can meet industry demand.