UK-based marine engineering consultancy BAR Technologies has partnered with Finnish naval architect Deltamarin to develop a new Aframax/LRII vessel design complete with wind propulsion technology.
To support and maximize the use of wind propulsion systems, the partners believe a vessel’s hull should be designed and formed differently to ensure optimal efficiency. BAR Technologies and Deltamarin predict that approximately 10 tons of fuel could be saved each day by implementing an Aframax/LRII hull and four WindWings wind propulsion systems on a round trip between North America and Rotterdam in the Netherlands.
The duo has also pointed to other factors that can hinder progress toward maximum efficiency – such as the vessel type and the service route – and that to overcome these challenges, further research is required on how overall performance can be enhanced below the water surface.
With a large number of existing ships and new-builds not benefiting from optimized hull and propulsion designs for significant wind-assistance efficiency, both BAR Technologies and Deltamarin will continue to work collaboratively to develop new hull forms – similar to the Aframax/LRII design – to deliver more forward thrust and better fuel savings.
“Wind is the free fuel, and it is the gauntlet laid down in front of innovators like ourselves to work out how we can displace fossil fuels with wind power,” said John Cooper, CEO at BAR Technologies. “It has been a privilege to partner with the best shipyards to retrofit WindWings, and we are especially excited to partner with the best oceangoing naval architects for big ship design in Deltamarin and that the Aframax/LRII is the first of many announcements.”
“The opportunities moving forward with wind power are vast,” added Esa Jokioinen, director of sales and marketing at Deltamarin. “Being familiar with BAR Technologies’ expert innovation in wind propulsion, we are delighted to collaborate on what both companies see as the next vital stage for wind-assisted sea travel: hull optimization. So far, we have made fine progress in harnessing wind power using sails, but we are finding increased performance all the time, and, with this hull design, we are witnessing a 15% improvement against our current fleet.”
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