van Dam Shipping has signed a contract for the installation of an eConowind-supplied wind-assist propulsion system on their 3,600 DWT general cargo vessel MV Ankie.
The modular Ventifoil units are in the form of non-rotating wing with vents and an internal fan that use boundary layer suction for maximum effect.
This installation will feature two, 10-meter wings along with two extensions of six meters that will generate significant force allowing the vessel to reduce motor power and thus save energy.
van Dam Shipping will take delivery in Q4 2019.
For eConowind, this is the first commercial order of their Ventifoil system which successfully completed sea test trials earlier this year.
The wind-assist system was developed over the past three years supported by an EU-backed grant.
This first installation marks a significant milestone for the company in bringing their technology to a shipping market eager to deploy credible decarbonization solutions.
Frank Nieuwenhuis, CEO of eConowind, said: “We are seeking ‘Econology’ for shipping: good for Ecology but must be Economical as well.
“After several years of development and testing we are very happy to take this next big step: a first commercial installation to show that saving energy and emissions can mean saving money at the same time.”
Jan van Dam, owner of van Dam Shipping, said: “We expect the reduction in fuel costs over a period of approximately three years will equal the costs of the system and thus fulfill our dream of using the wind again in modern shipping, which has been 40 years in the making.”
van Dam Shipping will participate in further testing the concept in the new EU Interreg-backed Wind-Assist Ship Propulsion ( WASP) research program.
The program team will study practical use of wind-assisted systems in day-to-day operation as well as actual savings over an extended period of time.