World’s first wind-powered freighter sets off on maiden voyage

[Montanan]

Looking forward to seeing more and more of the wind assisted freighters.

Reference link:
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world...a487d854&ei=72

They will utilize considerably less fuel and thus aid in decarbonizing the ocean freight sector.

The International Maritime Organization had established an initial Green House Gas reduction strategy that envisages, in particular, a reduction in carbon intensity of international shipping (to reduce CO2 emissions per transport work, as an average across international shipping, by at least 40% by 2030, pursuing efforts towards 70% by 2050, compared to 2008); and that total annual GHG emissions from international shipping should be reduced by at least 50% by 2050 compared to 2008.

Last month, July 2023, Member States of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), meeting at the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 80), have adopted adopted a notable revision and strategy as the 2023 IMO Strategy on Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships, with enhanced targets to tackle harmful emissions.

The revised IMO GHG Strategy includes an enhanced common ambition to reach net-zero GHG emissions from international shipping close to 2050, a commitment to ensure an uptake of alternative zero and near-zero GHG fuels by 2030, as well as indicative check-points for 2030 and 2040.


As to navigation, I wonder how their direction of travel relative the wind direction impacts efficiency.

I suspect they should display a motor - sailing cone when operating with sail and engine propulsion to provide proper notice of status.

Could be interesting to realize that one needs to defer to them as the stand on vessel when they operate under sail power alone. Albeit, when sailing I tend to defer to all large vessels, changing course and / or speed early so as to pass well astern.

[Don C L]

I think it would be great to see more use of wind, but I am skeptical that shipping companies will find this worth it. What happens when the ship has to go upwind in a strong wind? That drag becomes a liability even if they are "luffing." Also lots of tradewinds are blowing at about 15 knots. If the ship is motoring along at 10 or 12 knots, that's not much advantage. Still, on a beam reach, maybe there is enough benefit to justify it. The engineers seem excited about it.

[GordMay]

World’s first wind-powered freighter ...
Really?

[Montanan]

The developer of the WindWings enhanced freighter

https://www.bartechnologies.uk/project/windwings/


WindWings combines wind propulsion with route optimisation. This could increase the fuel efficiency of vessels in excess of 30% depending on if the installation is a retrofit or combined with a fully optimised newbuild hull. Initially aimed at bulk carriers and tankers, further variations will be developed for other large ship types.

[SailingHarmonie]

World's first? Another clueless journalism major. The Romans had wind powered freighters, and they certainly didn't invent them.

What I am really waiting for is the first country to commit to going to an all wind-powered navy.

Does anybody else think the idea of a wind-powered tanker is just beyond funny?

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by SailingHarmonie

... Does anybody else think the idea of a wind-powered tanker is just beyond funny?

If the addition the “WindWings” aerofoils, to existing ships, of can safely reduce fuel consumption, by about 30 per cent [or any significant amount]; it’s not funny, at all, despite the media hype [‘world’s first’].
As the article notes, “... the technology could [also] change current shipping routes, making it more profitable to follow the old trading routes with favourable winds, rather than travelling in the straight lines most cargo ships do today...”

[Mr. Kevin]

Originally Posted by GordMay

World’s first wind-powered freighter ...
Really?

Hey, Gord, you missed the Blue Nose! For shame!

[Mr. Kevin]

Originally Posted by SailingHarmonie

The Romans had wind powered freighters

Yeah but they were tubs with no keel. Even in brown water and with a healthy dose of caution they still rolled frighteningly often...

[Montanan]

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/techn...012bafa6&ei=25


"Scaling up

One of the major benefits of the WindWings project, which is co-funded by the European Union, is that it offers a retrofit solution that could help to reduce the carbon emissions of existing vessels. According to Cargill, 55% of the world’s cargo fleets are up to nine years old.

Not only do the wings help to reduce the emissions of the ship, they will also help vessel owners meet new industry rules on energy efficiency, and save money by cutting fuel consumption, according to Cargill. The company says that on an average global route, WindWings can save 1.5 metric tons of fuel per wing per day, with the possibility of saving more on trans-ocean routes. The firm notes that this could become even more important when using greener future fuels (such as ammonia and methanol), which are expected to cost more.

Experts have noted that for wind-assisted technologies to become widespread, their cost must be in line with the fuel savings they provide.

The WindWings are made from steel and glass composite, and before the ship enters a port or passes under a bridge, they can be folded on deck to avoid collisions."

[denverd0n]

"World's First."

[Montanan]

Link to a brief video of the vessel.

https://fb.watch/mAN4QkaRCR/

[Rocinante33]

On the subject of ‘first.’ I think these guys might have the (modern) checkered flag

https://www.timesunion.com/hudsonval...r-18085620.php

‘… basically modern shipping comes down to either speed or efficiency….”

[Renegde_Sailor]

The schooner Wyoming was the largest sail cargo vessel ever made, given the sail area required to drive her, and the skimpy little wings they have put on this ship, something tells me they are not going to see that much of a return on the investment here.

[sailingharry]

I see a Jimmy Cornell failure coming. The owners will expect an on time delivery, and they'll run the engines, and the longer route will result in GREATER fuel costs. On the first trip, anyway. On the second trip, the masts will be gone and they will be in the old shipping routes.

[chrisr]

there is only one word for this sort of thing

publicity exercise

cheers,