Futuristic concepts for container ships powered by alternative energy range from windmill-powered propellers to banks of vertical metal sails. Even though most are still on the drawing board, one concept is starting to be viewed seriously by the shipping industry.
Airfoil design
Called the “Vindskip,” the Norwegian design uses the high sides of its container ships as sails, turning the whole vessel into a wind-assisted airfoil.
Designed by Lade AS, the Oslo-based company says the hybrid merchant ship — which would still have an liquefied natural gas-powered engine — could achieve fuel savings of 60% and reduce emissions by 80%.
It’s the brainchild of Terje Lade, who used his skills as a speed sailor to develop his aerodynamic design. He says the futuristic container ship works more like an airplane than a conventional sailing ship.
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“In general, we do not believe that wind-assisted designs will play any significant role within the container shipping industry in the foreseeable future,” said Maersk head of sustainability Signe Bruun Jensen.
“The technology remains unproven at both commercial and operational scale.”
She said that Maersk was developing its Triple-E vessels which used ultra-long stroke engines, efficient vessel shape and advanced waste heat recovery systems to improve CO2 efficiency by 50% per container.
“If you look at the technology already on-board our vessels today, it’s remarkable just how far we’ve come,” she said.
