Car carrier to receive two sails from Oceanbird

Ro-ro operator Wallenius is to have two Oceanbird sails fitted to the car carrier Way Forward in 2027. This will be the first time Wallenius has deployed this technology on a vessel that will continue to operate on its regular route.

Wallenius aims to gain experience with the use of the sails during day-to-day operations through this installation. Data will also be collected on how the wind propulsion system performs.
‘We are convinced that wind propulsion will play a significant role in the future of shipping,’ says Johan Mattsson, CEO of Wallenius Marine. ‘By fitting sails to the Way Forward, we can gain practical experience whilst further reducing our fleet’s emissions.’

Tiranna

Earlier this year, in July, Wallenius had already fitted an Ocean Wing to the car carrier Tiranna. The installation took place at the Damen shipyard in Rotterdam, followed by a port acceptance test and a sea acceptance test (SAT). The SAT was successfully completed on 1 July.

According to Wallenius, the installation is ‘a full-scale test designed to gain practical insight into how the technology performs at sea. The aim is to gain practical experience on board a RoRo vessel and to evaluate how wind propulsion can help reduce emissions.’

An additional way to save energy

The Way Forward already has a dual-fuel system and a hull designed to minimise energy consumption. The ship can run on liquid and gaseous fuels, including biofuels. The sails are intended to provide an additional means of saving energy.

The ship currently has the highest CII score, an ‘A’. Wallenius expects the sails to further improve energy efficiency.

Volkswagen Konzernlogistik is also involved in the project. ‘By testing sails, we are contributing to the development of more sustainable vehicle logistics,’ says Peter Hörndlein, Head of Vehicle Logistics Overseas at Volkswagen Konzernlogistik.

Oceanbird is supplying the two sails. For the company, this will be the first time that multiple sails have been fitted to a single vessel.

Source: including an article by Joost Meily in *De Schuttevaer* (for subscribers only)
Image: Wallenius

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