Kongsberg to lead EU project to test wind propulsion systems

Norwegian technology firm Kongsberg Maritime will lead an EU-backed project to test and validate wind-assisted propulsion systems on two vessels.

IMAGE: The Neoliner Origin is the world's first RoRo sailing vessel. Neoline

The project is called Advanced Wind Energy System Optimisation & Monitoring for Efficiency (AWESOME) and backed by Horizon Europe, the EU’s research and innovation funding programme.

The demonstrations will be carried out on two vessels, one retrofitted and one newbuild.

One of Odfjell’s 49,000 dwt chemical tankers will be part of the first demonstration. It has been retrofitted with four 22-metre suction sails from Bound4blue.

The world’s first RoRo sailing vessel, Neoliner Origin, is designed with 76-metre rigs by French shipbuilder Chantiers de l’Atlantique’s and will be part of the second demonstration.

Through these demonstrations, the research group will validate performance models, measure thrust and energy savings, and study long-term operational behaviours under real operating conditions.

Data from the demonstrations will help reduce risk associated with adopting the technology and accelerate its deployment, Kongsberg said.

The consortium includes 14 partners, including voyage optimisation firm Syroco, class society DNV, shipowners, ship designers and research organisations.

“Wind-assisted propulsion is one of the most attractive pathways to compliant, cost-effective shipping. We believe AWESOME represents a major step forward in scaling this technology,” said Kongsberg’s emerging solutions senior vice president Kjerstin Kleyne Braaten.

By Nachiket Tekawade

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