WindWing Technology: Promising Results in Reducing Shipping Emissions
A shipping vessel, the Pyxis Ocean MC Shipping Kamsarmax, equipped with innovative 123-feet-tall “wings” for wind propulsion assistance, showed promising results after six months of testing. The vessel, operated by Cargill, saved an average of 3.3 tons of fuel per day and reduced greenhouse gas emissions by up to 14 percent, with potential for even greater reductions on optimal days. These savings align closely with predictions from computational fluid dynamics simulations.
According to BAR Technologies, makers of the WindWing sails, a vessel with three wings could achieve even greater fuel savings and emissions reductions. However, integrating such technology into existing shipping infrastructure poses challenges, including potential issues with docking due to the added height of the sails. Cargill is working to address these challenges and plans to expand wind-assisted propulsion to more vessels on global trade routes, engaging with ports to ensure logistical compatibility.