Results of the Optiwise project

The European Optiwise project focuses on reducing shipping emissions through wind-assisted propulsion. The programme investigates the optimisation of wind-assisted ships, including mechanical propulsion and operational deployment.

The project involves several European partners, including the Dutch MARIN and the Swedish RISE. A webpage has now been published on which the first project results can be accessed.

No surprise for sailors

Besides optimising the performance of sailing systems, research is also being done on the manoeuvrability of wind-assisted ships and the interaction between these systems and the crew.
For sailors with sailing experience, it is no surprise that this is a crucial area of concern.

The bridge simulations have shown that integrating wind-assisted propulsion on a ship affects on-board operations, requiring sophisticated user interfaces that allow the crew to interact with the sailing system. The simulations provided deep insights into situational awareness, workload and procedural changes.

Routing

The results indicate a shift in routing and manoeuvring due to wind propulsion, requiring new decisions and actions during the route. Officers need to monitor parameters such as wind, speed and distance to other vessels differently and communicate with the sail control system for optimal performance and safety.

Existing procedures for assessing manoeuvrability and course keeping of conventionally powered ships at the design stage are not suitable for ships with significant wind propulsion. The OPTIWISE project has developed new methods to assess wind-powered ships.

Source and image: Optiwise.

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