The Most Powerful Sailing Cargo Ship in the World Unveiled

The Berge Bulk firm with an aim to achieve carbon neutrality by 2025, launched a zero-emissions vessel by 2030, and to operate a zero-emissions fleet by the year 2050.

Progress has been significant, and a theoretical comparison of the Berge Bulk fleet of 2008 reflects a 46% lowering in the emissions via the use of improvised paints, energy-saving devices (abbreviated ESDs) like rudder ducts, as well as contributions from the seagoing staff in securing marginal gains.

Berge Bulk is now entering the second phase, the application of new tech, mentioned Marshall.

Spearheading the new technology is the retrofit installation of BAR Technologies’ WindWings on the 2018-constructed, 210,000-dwt Newcastlemax dry bulk carrier dubbed Berge Olympus.

With four WindWings installed, each measuring an aerodynamic span of about 37.5 m in height and 20 m in width, Berge Olympus is so far the most powerful cargo vessel in the world. It produces a saving of six tons of fuel a day on any average worldwide channel and, in the same process, reduces CO2 emissions by about 19.5 tons a day.

Berge Olympus is going to sail between China and Brazil – a trade channel known for optimum wind conditions. Enhanced weather routing, as well as ocean forecasting systems, have been launched, making the use of wind energy way more consistent and far better optimised.

Besides installing WindWings, Berge Olympus has reportedly been retrofitted with a unique shaft generator system. This shaft generator is also driven by the main engine for supplying electric power to the vessel, saving up fuel and lowering emissions.

With a 1-MW capacity, it is sized to get rid of the desire to operate auxiliary engines at sea. This installation is in itself path-breaking and concludes a program that had multiple vessels retrofitted with the tech.

The targets set for the next step of the Marshall Plan are the same as before, but there’s an even broader portfolio of ESDs and technologies.

The firm is considering all kinds of fuel options, including green methanol, bio-methanol, and ammonia, Marshall explained, and nuclear. The firm also needs to address the balance, he explained. 

To that end, the firm has been exploring carbon capture systems onboard and also investing significantly in direct carbon capture as well as other solutions, like the planting of 25 million trees to capture carbon.

The phase of the Marshall Plan is predicated on the new tech developed by BAR Technologies. The chief executive of BAR Technologies, John Cooper, said that they are proud to be leading wind-assisted propulsion via the development of WindWings and via shared vision with Berge Bulk for launching the most powerful sailing cargo vessel in the world. 

They can’t afford to stand still in coming up with sustainable solutions for the larger shipping industry. They also believe that there is a lot more to be done for harnessing wind power and pushing shipping into a more efficient and greener era. To that end, they are working on superior hydrodynamics as well as new kinds of accommodation blocks with many vessel designers.

Yara Marine Technologies is a keen supporter of BAR Technologies. Thomas Koniordos, its chief executive, said that wind-assisted propulsion could offer long-term solutions for shipping’s pathway toward net zero. They are also excited to work with trusted collaborators like Berge Bulk and make sure the technology can be both manufactured and scaled to shipping’s high standards, facilitating a resilient and robust supply chain that can satisfy industry demands.

References: riveramm, prnewswire

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