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Wind-propulsion tech gains DNV type-approval at SMM
A European class society has type-approved sail technology for commercial ships that reduces fuel consumption and emissions
DNV type-approved bound4blue’s eSails after their first installation and sea trails.
These 17.0-m high, 2.9-m wide sails were first installed on Amasus ship Eems Traveller, and presented in Hamburg, Germany during the SMM exhibition.
These 18-tonne wind sails can be used to improve the energy efficiency of the general cargo ship, enabling the master to reduce the engine load, cutting fuel use and emissions, or provide extra speed to the ship.
In recent sea trials, at a combined speed from the ship and wind of 20 knots, they saved around 1 knot, resulting in a lower energy demand on the engines, said bound4blue co founder and chief technology officer David Ferrer.
"The first commercial installation is a milestone and another is achieving DNV type-approval," he said.
These suction sails are fully autonomous and work by dragging air across an aerodynamic surface, generating propulsive efficiency.
DNV provided its full type-approval design certificate standard ST-0511, validating eSails’ complete compliance with the classification society’s Wind Assisted Propulsion Systems technical standard.
This compliance ensures the eSail structure and control systems work effectively and safely to control them in all maritime conditions to improve ship efficiency.
Mr Ferrer said eSails can be fitted as retrofits on a broad range of vessels and on newbuilds to enhance compliance with regulations, including improving vessel CII ratings, boosting EEDI and EEXI, complying with the advent of FuelEU Maritime, and contributing to saved allowances within the EU Emissions Trading System.
The next installations will use larger eSails of 22-m and 26-m high on ships owned or operated by Odfjell, Eastern Pacific Shipping, Amasus, Marflet, Marubeni, Louis Dreyfus Co and Offer, with installations on tankers, bulk carriers and cargo ships.
“Wind is an inexhaustible, free, zero-carbon energy source, which is receiving increasing attention within the maritime industry,” said DNV Maritime senior principal engineer Hasso Hoffmeister.
"To harness its potential, owners require trusted systems, with validated technical and design compliance, to ensure the highest quality standards."
He expects using wind as a green energy source for vessels to grow worldwide, but warned the technology and its installation needs to remain safe and not impact the stability of ships it is deployed on.
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