Odfjell to install suction sail system on a chemical tanker

Norwegian chemical tanker company Odfjell has partnered with wind-assisted propulsion technology developer bound4blue to install a suction sail system on one of its chemical tankers.

PHOTO: Illustration of Odfjell's vessel with suction sail system. Odfjell

Odfjell is currently preparing to test the suction sail system on one of its chemical tankers and the installation will be completed by next year.

The system is based on wind-assisted propulsion technology. When switched on, the system will suck in air to re-adhere the airflow towards sail to help in propulsion.

According to Spain-based technology company bound4blue, the suction sail system is more efficient than a conventional sail system and requires minimal power consumption.

“bound4blue's technology has significant potential to reduce emissions by harvesting the energy on the ship itself and transforming it directly into a forward thrust,” said Jan Opedal, project manager at Odfjell.

Odfjell claims to be the first tanker company to test the suction sail system on one of its vessels. It also intends to document the improvement in the vessel's energy efficiency after using the new system.

By Aparupa Mazumder 

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