Last August, the Pyxis Ocean (freighter) undertook a voyage from China to Brazil, highlighted by the incorporation of a technological innovation: two enormous 123-foot sails installed on its deck. These sails, known as WindWings, were designed to capture the wind’s energy and assist in propelling the ship.
After a six-week maiden voyage to evaluate this environmentally friendly technology, the results just released by Cargill, the shipping company that owns the Pyxis Ocean, indicate a promising future for the emissions reductions in shipping. .
Fuel economy of the Pyxis Ocean vessel
The Pyxis Ocean vessel achieved significant fuel savings thanks to the wind power captured by its controllable sails. On average, the ship saved 3.3 tons of fuel per day, saving more than 12 tons on days with ideal weather conditions.
These savings represent an average reduction of 14% in greenhouse gas emissions, with peaks of up to 37% reduction. The efficiency of the WindWings largely matched initial forecasts based on computational fluid dynamics simulations, achieving performance within 10% of the designers’ expectations.
The efficiency of WindWings sails
According to estimates by Cargill the implementation of two WindWings on a ship of a similar size to the Pyxis Ocean could be equivalent to taking 480 cars off the road in terms of annual emissions reductions, and this figure may even be conservative. BAR Technologies, makers of WindWings, suggest that installing three wings on Kamsarmax vessels could increase fuel savings and emissions reductions by an additional 50%, according to John Cooper, the company’s chief executive officer.
Despite Pyxis Ocean’s success, it represents only one among the approximately 110,000 merchant ships sailing globally. The introduction of technologies such as WindWings poses logistical challenges, given that ports are designed to accommodate traditional vessel dimensions, and the additional 125 feet of sail height could make berthing difficult at many ports. However, Cargill is taking proactive steps to overcome these obstacles, working with more than 250 ports to adapt the necessary infrastructure to accommodate wind-assisted propulsion vessels, ensuring that technologies such as WindWings can be used on international trade routes.
The adoption of WindWings sails in the shipping industry signals a move towards sustainability and highlights the importance of innovation in the fight against climate change. This pioneering approach can serve as a catalyst for the exploration of other green technologies in the maritime sector, promoting a radical change in the way global freight transport is conceived. As more companies evaluate and adopt green solutions, the path to a zero-emission future for shipping will become increasingly clear.
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Source and photo: popsci.com
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