Maersk Tankers to study wind propulsion tech

The A.P. Møller-Maersk Group subsidiary has partnered with Norsepower Oy, The Energy Technologies Institute, and Shell Shipping & Maritime to install and test Flettner rotor sails on a Maersk Tankers’ vessel.    Maersk Tankers is partnering with Norsepower Oy Ltd., The Energy Technologies Institute (ETI), and Shell Shipping & Maritime to study the use of wind propulsion technology for ocean going vessels, the group said in a joint statement.
   The A.P. Møller-Maersk Group subsidiary will work with the groups to install and test Flettner rotor sails on a Maersk Tankers’ vessel to measure fuel savings and any operational issues that occur.
   The Flettner rotor, a technology first demonstrated in the 1920s, is a spinning cylinder that uses a phenomena known as the “Magnus effect” to harness wind power to create force to drive ships forward.
   The Maersk Tankers’ project will be the first installation of wind-powered energy technology on a product tanker vessel, according to the group. Two Norsepower rotor sails will be fitted on a 109,647-deadweight tonne (DWT) Long Range 2 (LR2) product tanker vessel during the first half of 2018 and will undergo testing and data analysis at sea until the end of 2019.
   The Norsepower Rotor Sail Solution is a modern version of the Flettner rotor, and is expected to reduce average fuel consumption on typical global shipping routes by 7 to 10 percent, the group said.
   “Flettner rotors have the potential to reduce ship fuel consumption substantially, especially on tankers and dry bulk carriers,” said Andrew Scott, program manager HDV marine and offshore renewable energy at ETI. “It is one of the few fuel saving technologies that could offer double digit percentage improvements.
   “To date, there has been insufficient full scale demonstration on a suitable ocean going marine vessel to prove the technology benefits and operational impact. Demonstrating the technology in this project will make it more attractive to shipping companies and investors, and could play a significant role in reducing the fuel costs and improving the environmental impact of shipping in the future.”
   The project is mostly funded by the UK’s Energy Technologies Institute (ETI), with contributions from Maersk Tankers and Norsepower, and Shell will act as project coordinator, providing operational and pert terminal consultancy to the project team.
   Norsepower CEO Tuomas Riski said his firm is “optimistic” the project will “open up the market for our technology to a larger number of long-range product tanker vessels – paving the way for ship fuel efficiencies, and ultimately reducing emissions, including greenhouse gases.”
   “As an abundant and free renewable energy, wind power has a role to play in supporting the shipping industry to reduce its fuel consumption and meet impending carbon reduction targets,” he said.
   “Together with our partners, we have the opportunity to deploy an innovative technology that can improve fuel efficiency on our LR2 product tanker vessels and help to reduce their environmental impact,” added Tommy Thomassen, chief technical officer for Maersk Tankers.