James Marshall-led Berge Bulk has shown off its retrofitted newcastlemax bulker, Berge Olympus, which now houses four BARTech WindWings by Yara Marine Technologies. The installation of WindWings is a part of Berge Bulk’s ambition to become carbon neutral by 2025.
The Berge Olympus, which is being claimed as the world’s most powerful sailing cargo ship by the shipowner, has four WindWings installed. This will help the Berge Olympus save six tonnes of fuel per day on an average worldwide route and, in the process, reduce CO2 emissions by approximately 19.5 tonnes per day. Looking at the fuel savings and CO2 reductions, Berge Bulk is now evaluating the potential of installing WindWings on more of its vessels that trade on routes with favourable wind conditions.
Each of the four WindWings is 20 m wide and 37.5 m tall, which is taller than a 10-story building. The total surface area of the four wings is 3,000 m2, which is more than three times the surface area of the wings of an A380 airplane.
Due to the Windwings, The Berge Olympus will sail on trade route with favourable wind condition, like between Brazil and China.
In addition to the installation of the WindWings, Berge Olympus has been retrofitted with a shaft generator system. The shaft generator is driven by the main engine to supply electric power to the vessel, thus saving fuel and reducing emissions. With a 1MW capacity, it is sized to eliminate the need to operate auxiliary engines while at sea.
“At Berge Bulk, we are constantly striving to enhance our efficiency and reduce the environmental impact of our existing fleet. From 2008 until today, we have achieved a remarkable 46% reduction in our CO2 emissions per tonne mile, already surpassing the 2030 IMO target for reducing carbon emissions intensity.”
Marshall, CEO, Berge Bulk
“We’re immensely proud to be spearheading wind-assisted propulsion through the development of WindWings and through our shared vision with Berge Bulk to launch the world’s most powerful sailing cargo ship. We cannot afford to stand still in developing sustainable solutions for the shipping industry. We believe there is more to be done to harness wind power and push shipping into a greener, and more efficient era. To that end, we are already working on superior hydrodynamics and new types of accommodation blocks with several vessel designers.”
John Cooper, CEO of BAR Technologies
Thomas Koniordos, CEO of Yara Marine Technologies, said: “Wind-assisted propulsion has the potential to offer immediate long-term solutions for shipping’s pathway to net zero.”
