Eco Marine’s EnergySail for workboats

The EnergySail is designed to work with EMP’s Aquarius MRE system. It allows vessels to utilise the power of the wind and sun, reducing fuel costs and lowering toxic gas and carbon emissions.

Maritime Journal reported that the EnergySail design was completed in September – it was originally designed to be used for larger bulk carriers and patrol ships – but EMP says it is also suitable for smaller workboats.

Greg Atkinson, director, EMP, said to MJ: “We believe this rigid sail based design is flexible enough to also be used on smaller vessels.”

He added: “At the moment we are more focused on R&D but we are in discussions aimed on securing a contract(s) based around our Medaka eco-solar ferry design.”

Long term, EMP plans to roll-out a number of wind/solar power solutions based around the EnergySail and Aquarius MRE System technologies for USV’s (Unmanned Surface Vessels), ferries, fishing vessels and larger ships.

Other applications for its use are also being studied – there is potential for it to perform as a stand-alone unit on a cable laying vessel, on a ferry or oceanographic ship.