KSOE awarded AiP for wing sail propulsion system for tankers

The wind-powered auxiliary propulsion system for ships is the result of a joint research project from KSOE, the shipbuilding holding company of Hyundai Heavy Industries Group, and SK Shipping, to develop wind-powered eco-friendly propulsion solutions.

A virtual ceremony took place to celebrate the AiP in the presence of KSOE head of the future ship research department Hyunjoon Shin, SK Shipping vice president Haeyong Son, and DNV GL Korea key account manager Sung Ho Shin.

KSOE’s Mr Shin said, “We are speeding up efforts to bring eco-friendly technologies to the market. The wing sail system will reduce fuel consumption by more than 6%. We will take the lead in the next-generation ship market and continue to strengthen our technological competitiveness.”

Mr Son added, “This is a promising technology that shows new possibilities for shipowners to be able to meet IMO standards for reducing carbon emissions.”

The wing sail design is 20 m wide, 50 m high and installed vertically on both sides of the deck. It rotates its wings according to the direction and intensity of the wind to provide auxiliary propulsion to the ship. The wing can be lowered to 10 m in height, making it flexible in case of bad weather or when passing under a bridge.

DNV GL undertook the AiP by reviewing the initial drawings related to design loads, system responses, redundancies and components submitted by KSOE, while SK Shipping provided its expertise and insights on the technology from an owner’s point of view.

“As a result of the joint research with two leaders of South Korea’s maritime cluster, it was a meaningful project to which we contributed our expertise. Wind propulsion for ships is an effective solution which helps to meet IMO’s regulations for greener shipping. DNV GL is ready to deliver a wide range of related services for further projects," said DNV GL regional manager Korea and Japan Vidar Dolonen.

The new wing sail propulsion system can be installed on many types of vessels and is expected to further increase the efficiency of future ship operations.

The AiP is also a big step towards awarding a ship DNV GL’s new additional class notation, WAPS (Wind Assisted Propulsion System).

In addition, DNV GL has recently developed a standard for the certification of wind-assisted propulsion systems in response to enquiries for the independent assessment of those systems.