K Line and J-POWER to install wind propulsion system on coal carrier

Japanese shipping firm Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (K Line) and power company Electric Power Development (J-POWER) have agreed to install a wind propulsion system on a coal carrier.

PHOTO: Model of Seawing mounted to the bow of CORONA CITRUS. K Line

The wind propulsion system, called Seawing, will be installed on K Line's 88,000-dwt coal carrier, CORONA CITRUS, which operates for J-POWER.

The duo expects the system to reduce the vessel’s carbon dioxide emissions by at least 20%.

Developed by the French maritime technology firm Airseas, the system combines kite-technology with an automated flight control system. It involves parafoils that fly at an altitude of over 200 metres to harness wind power to propel the vessels forward.

Prior to this installation, K Line had placed orders for five of these wind propulsion systems for its bulkers last year.

By Tuhin Roy

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