A 50/50 joint venture between Alfa Laval and Wallenius has been finalized to accelerate Oceanbird’s sustainable wind power solutions from concepts to commercially available products.
The joint venture will see both companies intensifying the development of Oceanbird wind power technology. Officially named AlfaWall Oceanbird and originally devised by Wallenius, the propulsion system for vessels uses wing sails. Once the wing sails are fully applied, emissions of the largest seagoing vessels can be reduced by up to 90%.
“COP26 put the need for accessible technology in the spotlight,” commented Niclas Dahl, who became managing director at Oceanbird on December 1, 2021. “Decarbonizing shipping is imperative, and wind is a free source of power with a substantial role to play, and [in] minimum need of infrastructure.”
Dahl was previously vice president of marine separation and heat transfer equipment at Alfa Laval. He spent several years developing and launching Alfa Laval PureBallast, a ballast water treatment solution, also created in partnership with Wallenius. He will be responsible for overseeing the development of Oceanbird technology.
“We’re proud of the recognition from our marine industry colleagues, which confirms that Oceanbird is on the right path,” said Dahl. “As the enthusiasm for wind power grows, we’re moving rapidly to build on what we’ve achieved. Our next wing sail prototype is on the horizon, and we’re on target to have a transatlantic car carrier fully propelled by Oceanbird technology in 2025. Wind is an opportunity we must seize now. There’s simply no time to waste in phasing out fossil fuels.”
Oceanbird was among the winners of the Wind Propulsion Innovation Awards 2021. The awards were organized by the International Windship Association (IWSA) for the promotion of wind-powered shipping during the COP26 event.
A feature on the Oceanbird concept can be found here, in the April 2021 edition of Electric & Hybrid Marine Technology International.