THE latest installation of wind propulsion technology on large commercial vessels now totals one million tonnes deadweight (DWT), reports Hellenic Shipping News Worldwide.
'Wind propulsion technologies are proven to save 5-20 per cent in fuel use and associated emissions when used as wind-assist on motor vessel profiles,' said International Windship Association (IWSA) secretary general Gavin Allwright.
'The savings potential is even higher for vessels that use primary wind technologies to achieve much higher levels of propulsive energy sourced from wind,' he said.
The timing of wind-powered ship propulsion passing this milestone comes in the same week that the industry celebrates World Maritime Day and its theme 'New Technologies for Greener Shipping', notes the London-based IWSA.
Said Mr Allwright: 'What was once romanticised as a historic way to sail cargo across the world's oceans has become a credible option for modern vessels, fueled by incoming carbon reduction targets and high fuel prices.'
Currently, 21 large commercial vessels have wind propulsion systems installed onboard representing over one million deadweight tonnes of cargo carrying capacity, said the group.
By the end of this year, IWSA estimates that wind propulsion technology will be installed on 25 large commercial vessels, representing 1.2 million deadweight tonnes. Based on public announcements and shipyard orders made to-date, IWSA also estimates that by the end of 2023, up to 50 large ships will be making use of wind as a renewable energy source with a combined tonnage of over three million deadweight tonnes.
In addition to the fleet of large commercial ships sailing with wind propulsion technology installed, 10 small cruise ships currently use traditional soft sail technology representing a further 50,000 gross register tonnage.
There are also a growing number of smaller vessels using wind propulsion. The number of smaller vessels will also likely grow in the next year as more vessels are converted to sail cargo, retrofits on small fishing vessels are undertaken, and a demonstrator vessel is launched in the South Pacific.
SeaNews Turkey
'Wind propulsion technologies are proven to save 5-20 per cent in fuel use and associated emissions when used as wind-assist on motor vessel profiles,' said International Windship Association (IWSA) secretary general Gavin Allwright.
'The savings potential is even higher for vessels that use primary wind technologies to achieve much higher levels of propulsive energy sourced from wind,' he said.
The timing of wind-powered ship propulsion passing this milestone comes in the same week that the industry celebrates World Maritime Day and its theme 'New Technologies for Greener Shipping', notes the London-based IWSA.
Said Mr Allwright: 'What was once romanticised as a historic way to sail cargo across the world's oceans has become a credible option for modern vessels, fueled by incoming carbon reduction targets and high fuel prices.'
Currently, 21 large commercial vessels have wind propulsion systems installed onboard representing over one million deadweight tonnes of cargo carrying capacity, said the group.
By the end of this year, IWSA estimates that wind propulsion technology will be installed on 25 large commercial vessels, representing 1.2 million deadweight tonnes. Based on public announcements and shipyard orders made to-date, IWSA also estimates that by the end of 2023, up to 50 large ships will be making use of wind as a renewable energy source with a combined tonnage of over three million deadweight tonnes.
In addition to the fleet of large commercial ships sailing with wind propulsion technology installed, 10 small cruise ships currently use traditional soft sail technology representing a further 50,000 gross register tonnage.
There are also a growing number of smaller vessels using wind propulsion. The number of smaller vessels will also likely grow in the next year as more vessels are converted to sail cargo, retrofits on small fishing vessels are undertaken, and a demonstrator vessel is launched in the South Pacific.
SeaNews Turkey