On July 8, NYK Bulkship (Atlantic) N.V., an NYK Group company, installed two wind-assisted ship-propulsion units on the bulk carrier NBA Magritte at the port of Rotterdam, the Netherlands, which is engaged in a long-term charter contract with Cargill (USA). This is the first time a unit of this type has been installed on an NYK Group vessel.
Sitting on a 20-foot-long (approximately six-meter) flat rack container with no walls, VentoFoil has a 16-meter vertical wing that acts as suction sail which expects about five times as much force compared to no-suction versions.
Features of VentoFoil
- VentoFoil creates propulsion with the pressure difference on both sides of the wing and is expected to help reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions during vessel navigation.
- It takes in wind through its suction port and obtains greater propulsion by amplifying the pressure difference.
- The system can be easily activated and deactivated through a touch panel installed on the bridge, enabling operation without increasing the crew’s workload.
- It is smaller than similar wind equipment, making it easy to install and relocate.
- It can be folded in about five to six minutes, keeping it out of the way of cargo handling.
Photo credit: NYK. Two VentoFoils installed on NBA Magritte.