Multipurpose Vessel Outlook Breakbulk & Project Cargo
Jumbo retrofitted heavy-lift vessel Jumbo Jubilee ( pictured ) with two wind sails in October . Jumbo
For the ETS alone , Econowind estimates wind assistance systems would slash carriers ’ allowances by 15 %, saving on carbon-related expenses . Econowind also forecast that WASP would achieve a 5 % reduction in GHG intensity under FuelEU regulations that came into force in January , ensuring carriers avoid penalties and unlocking potential rewards for exceeding compliance standards .
Gavin Allwright , secretary-general of the International Windship Association , said there were 48 large ocean-going vessels , equivalent to 3 million dwt , equipped with wind-assist systems at the end of last year . There were also 33 vessels that were either wind-ready or awaiting equipment installations , including ships that use wind as their primary propulsion source , he said .
Those include Neoliner Origin , the world ’ s first commercial sailing roll-on / roll-off ( ro / ro ) vessel that was launched on Jan . 29 at the Turkish shipyard RMK Marine for French operator Neoline . The 446-foot-long ship , with more than 32,000 square feet of sail , has almost 4,000 feet of deck space capable of carrying 265 20-foot containers or up to 5,300 metric tons , Neoline said .
Similarly , air lubrication system ( ALS ) installer Silverstream Technologies said there is growing appetite among carriers to fit ALS technologies to meet decarbonization goals . Lubrication systems blow a carpet of bubbles along the underside of the hull to reduce friction and improve fuel economy .
The London-headquartered company said it has orders for more than 240 ships , including a series of pure car and truck carriers ( PCTCs ) for Italy ’ s Grimaldi Lines that will be Silverstream ’ s first air lubrication system installations on PCTCs .
“ Air lubrication systems are highly applicable to the MPV and deck carrier segment ,” Silverstream Sales Director Gilberto Zambrini told the Journal of Commerce . “ This is due to their low draught and operating patterns , which generally
see these vessels travel long distances . As a result , Silverstream is seeing market interest within this space .”
Slow uptake so far
Both WASP and ALS have had a relatively low adoption rate since the technologies were introduced about 15 years ago .
When it was delivered in December 2007 , the 9,820- dwt MPV Beluga Skysails , since renamed Onego Deusto , was the first modern wind-assisted ship with a bowmounted sail that could be raised and lowered similar to a parachute to harness the wind .
“ There are lessons to be learned and improvements to be made .”
Japan ’ s NYK Lines was the first carrier to adopt air lubrication , installing a system on the 2010-built 19,812-dwt heavy deck carrier Yamatai , Daisuke Takahashi , manager at NYK Bulk & Projects Carriers , told the Journal of Commerce . A similar system was installed on a sister ship , Yamato , which was delivered in 2020 , he added .
Takahashi said two years of trials to test the most effective thickness of the bubble layer and how to make the release of air uniform along the breadth of the vessel resulted in 6 % fuel savings . But since Yamatai began operating , fuel savings have actually been between 3 % and 5 %, he said .
“ There are lessons to be learned and improvements to be made from 14 years of operations for the future vessels ,” Takahashi said .
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12 Journal of Commerce | March 2025 www . joc . com