Naval Architect KNUD E. HANSEN Joins Wind-Powered Ro-Ro Project

Swedish shipping consultancy Wallenius Marine has teamed up with naval architecture firm KNUD E. HANSEN to design the world’s first wind-powered roll-on/roll off vessel.

The vessel, known as Orcelle Wind, is being developed by Oslo-based Wallenius Wilhelmsen and envisions the world’s wind-assisted pure car and truck carriers (PCTC).

The vessel will operate at speeds of 10-12 knots while under sail, or faster using a supplemental power system. The concept seeks to reduce emissions by as much as 90 percent.

The PCTC has a planned capacity of 7000 cars along with breakbulk and rolling equipment.

The Orcelle Wind is the first vessel in the “Oceanbird” concept, which Wallenius Wilhelmsen is developing as an alternative path to acheiving zero emissions?.

Announced in February 2021, Wallenius Wilhelmsen said it plans to have a design ready for contracting with a shipyard by mid-2022, and a finished vessel ready for the high seas by 2025. The concept is being developed by Wallenius Marine.

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