Multi-wingsail approval

This significant milestone in the company’s history is the result of years of design iteration work combined with the use of cutting-edge CFD to refine the wings before extensive wind tunnel testing and analysis by independent third parties. Each wing has trailing edge flaps that allow for optimisation of the motive force produced for a variety of incident wind angles and, crucially, allow the rigs to produce the highest power density of any current wind-powered solution. Windship Technology claims that with three rigs set, they can produce all the power required to sail an 80,000 DWT ship on the main long transoceanic routes.

Speaking about the classification, Simon Rogers, Technical Director at Windship Technology stated: “This is the classification that changes everything. Now it is abundantly clear that the shipping industry has a workable solution to its significant emissions issues. Fleet owners and charterers have a zero emissions option with Windship Technology’s whole-ship design that is set to revolutionise the industry and the need for these wing solutions has never been more than now. With the Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index coming into force on 1st January 2023, the clock is ticking on the shipping industry. Windship Technology is the stand-out solution and we welcome the Approval in Principle from DNV whom we have worked with efficiently and expediently in achieving this classification.”

The wings deployed on vessels are located on a steel cruciform base which provides the intersection with the ship and also house the lifting and lowering mechanism – especially important for port access and bridge height clearance.

By Jake Frith