By
Alex Smith |
Wind propulsion system provider Norsepower has successfully installed its Rotor Sail solution onboard Scandlines’ hybrid ferry Copenhagen, completing the work in a matter of hours during an overnight stop.
The ferry, which operates between Rostock, Germany and Gedser, Denmark, was retrofitted with a unit measuring 30 metres in height and five metres in diameter. The sail is estimated to reduce fuel consumption and emissions by up to four to five per cent without affecting speed or voyage times.
“We see huge value in investing in technology with the ultimate goal of reducing emissions,” said Søren Poulsgaard Jensen, Scandlines CEO. “Working with Norsepower on this innovative solution was a perfect fit with our values and ambitions regarding sustainable shipping. On our modern hybrid ferry, this solution will sit alongside hydrodynamic hull optimisation, and a hybrid-electric propulsion system with a battery powered energy storage system, improving not only our efficiency but also profitability. We look forward to seeing the instant benefits of this technology.”
Norsepower’s Rotor Sail solution is a modernised version of the Flettner rotor, which makes use of the Magnus effect to propel a ship with wind power. The rotor sail is fully automated and detects whenever the wind is strong enough to deliver emission savings, at which point it begins to operate.
“We are delighted to announce this latest successful installation of the Rotor Sail, which demonstrates that retrofitting can be achieved without any interruption and downtime to day-to-day commercial operations,” said Tuomas Riski, CEO of Norsepower. “Scandlines has a strong track record of investing in new clean technologies that save emissions onboard its fleet. The addition of Norsepower’s Rotor Sail makes Copenhagen one of the world’s most energy-efficient ferries.”