Wind propulsion approval marks milestone in acceptance

The first-ever type approval of an auxiliary wind propulsion system is expected to ease decisions for shipowners considering options to reduce carbon emissions.

Class society DNV GL has approved Finnish company Norsepower’s rotor sails, certifying that the system is capable of navigating “all operational and environmental situations”. The approval was issued after an assessment of the supplier’s 30m tall sail, two of which have been installed on Maersk Tanker’s LR2 vessel Maersk Pelican.

DNV GL director of ship classification and technical director Geir Dugstad said: “To help reduce shipping’s environmental impact we will need many different fuel and technology options, which is why we were very pleased that Norsepower asked us to be part of this innovative wind propulsion project.”

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Norsepower’s system is currently installed on three vessels and has reached 35,000 hours in service. In that time the company claims to have saved more than 4,500 tonnes of CO2, with fuel savings of up to 20% verified by NAPA.

Norsepower CEO Tuomas Riski said: “Having a type approval design certificate provides shipowners, operators, and charterers with a level of assurance when investing in the rotor sail solution. But in the long term it removes yet another hurdle to the realisation of renewable wind energy propulsion systems at a scale that supports shipping’s transformation to a low carbon transport sector.”

Rotor sails rely on the Magnus effect associated with rotating cylinders to generate propulsive force.

Propulsion projects that improve efficiency are eligible for nomination in several categories at the Marine Propulsion Awards. Make your nominations before 24 March.