Jumbo Maritime installs wind-assisted propulsion system on a vessel

Dutch maritime transportation firm Jumbo Maritime has installed a pair of sails on a heavy lift vessel (HLV).

PHOTO: Jumbo Maritime’s HLV Jumbo Jubilee equipped with WAPS. Econowind

HLV ship is used to transport and lift extremely heavy or oversized cargo, often featuring powerful cranes with high lifting capacities.

The vessel, Jumbo Jubilee, has been fitted with two automated rigid sails. These sails will help to harness wind power and reduce fuel consumption. The sails will be supplied by maritime wind-power company EconoWind.

This is the first time that an HLV has been equipped with a wind-assisted propulsion system (WAPS), according to EconoWind.

WAPS gaining steam

WAPS have been gaining popularity among shipowners as they look for technologies that can boost a vessel's performance and reduce fuel use.

In September, classification society Bureau Veritas approved a new passenger vessel concept with WAPS, developed by the French cruise operator Ponant. That same month, Japanese shipping company Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) revealed plans to equip a new LNG carrier with a hard sail.

By Tuhin Roy

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