An image of the containerized VentoFoil wings. Image courtesy ONE
Singapore-based shipping company Ocean Network Express (ONE) has announced the commencement of its first wind-assisted propulsion trial.
In collaboration with Dutch maritime wind-powered technology experts Econowind, ONE plans to install two containerized wind assist devices, known as VentoFoil containers, on the M/V Kalamazoo, a feeder vessel operating between Pusan, Yokohama, and Honolulu. The ship is owned by NORSE UK and managed by Goodwood Ship Management based in Singapore.
The VentoFoils, resembling airplane wings, have been designed to tap into wind energy, leading to a significant reduction in fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Equipped with a smart suction system that optimizes airflow and maximizes thrust, each VentoFoil has the potential to generate up to 400kW of power, resulting in a 5% reduction in fuel consumption. Thee fully automatic devices are capable of adjusting to wind speed and direction and can be controlled from the ship bridge.
The trial, scheduled to commence in January 2024 and last for approximately six months, will involve comprehensive monitoring of the VentoFoils’ performance by ONE. Data on fuel consumption, emissions reductions, and overall operational efficiency will be collected and analyzed to assess their long-term viability.
“ONE is committed to minimizing our environmental impact and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050,” said Hiroki Tsujii, Managing Director at ONE. “This trial with Econowind is an important step forward in our efforts to explore innovative and sustainable solutions for the maritime industry.”
Ocean Network Express (ONE), formed in 2017 through the merger of liner businesses of Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (“K” LINE), Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL), and Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK), currently ranks as the world’s sixth-largest container carrier. With a fleet of over 225 ships representing approximately 1.69 million TEU, ONE is a member of THE Alliance (THEA), a global ocean carrier consortium.
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