Japanese operator Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (K Line) has joined the International Windship Association (IWSA), a member-driven not-for-profit organisation dedicated to promoting and facilitating direct wind propulsion in commercial shipping
The announcement comes on the back of the company’s 20-year agreement to deploy Airseas’ Seawing kite propulsion systems on at least one K Line ship after testing and analysis.
K Line said that by joining IWSA, it intends to show the industry and policymakers that wind propulsion is a credible and viable long-term solution in marine propulsion.
K Line’s representative director and senior managing executive officer Atsuo Asano said “Joining IWSA is a great opportunity for our company. Through IWSA activities, maritime stakeholders can create a big scrum, pushing together towards the uptake of direct wind power applications for commercial ships. We believe this association will bring a bright future for the shipping industry.”
The company expects it is “increasingly likely” that fossil fuel levies will be applied in the near future and more expensive alternative fuels will start to become available in the marketplace over the next decade.
IWSA secretary general Gavin Allwright said “We are delighted to welcome K Line to the association, adding a powerful voice to our calls for wind propulsion to be considered as a significant and immediate decarbonisation tool for the world’s fleet.”
Mr Allwright estimates that wind-assist retrofits can deliver “5-20% of the propulsive energy required by large vessels on their current motor vessel operational profile, with the potential to reach 30%.”
Wind propulsion options have begun to emerge in the market as shipowners are looking at decarbonisation options in anticipation of tightening rules by IMO and possible carbon taxes.
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