Econowind installs VentoFoils on five vessels across three shipyards
Maria Sibum, one of several vessels to have been retrofitted with Econowind sails this month (Source: Econowind)
Econowind is carrying out VentoFoil wind-assisted propulsion installations on five vessels during August, with retrofit projects progressing simultaneously at three shipyards in Germany and the Netherlands.
The installations cover the Dutch-flagged Skretting Gro for Vertom Group at Lumarine Dry Dock & Ship Repair in Bremerhaven, Germany; Hansa Drejoe and Hansa Christiansoe for Leonhardt & Blumberg at Royal Niestern Sander in Delfzijl, the Netherlands; and Gerd Sibum and Maria Sibum for Reederei Bernd Sibum at Damen Shiprepair Harlingen, also in the Netherlands.
The company said the programme reflects increasing adoption of wind-assisted propulsion technology by commercial shipowners seeking to reduce fuel consumption and emissions. Rather than being limited to isolated demonstration projects, installations are now being undertaken across multiple vessels and yards at the same time.
The VentoFoil system uses aerodynamic suction technology. First developed for aircraft in the mid-1900s, it serves to bind a layer of fast-moving laminar airflow to the wing’s surface, allowing a relatively smaller surface area to generate considerable additional thrust from prevailing winds, and reducing engine load and fuel consumption. Demand for wind-assisted propulsion retrofits has increased as operators look for practical methods of improving vessel efficiency and meeting tightening environmental requirements.
The August installation programme also illustrates the growing role of European shipyards in supporting alternative propulsion technologies, with retrofit work taking place concurrently across several facilities as uptake of wind-assisted propulsion continues to expand.
