Cruise & Ferry Review - Spring/Summer 2021

1 3 4 He notes that it is still too early to draw final conclusions about the performance of the rotor sail. “We have set ourselves a period of at least one year in operation, including autumn and winter storms, in order for us to fully evaluate the solution. However, according to the feedback received from the vessel so far, the start has been very promising. “We are receiving many questions from our customers, who would like more details on this additional ‘funnel’. Contrary to our former green investments, like the batteries or the new thrusters, the rotor sail is very visible for everybody. That’s why we have decided to show a short animation on the screens onboard the ferry to explain the operational principle of the rotor sail.” According to Guldmann Petersen, the installation of the rotor sail was another important step in Scandlines’ Green Agenda. “Looking back to 2011, we started our journey with the ambitious target to become a zero-emission ferry operator in the future,” he says. “Constant improvements of the energy consumption and increased efficiencies of the vessels are necessary elements to reach that target. The rotor sail is just another piece in that very big puzzle.” The goal is to have zero-emission ferries on the Puttgarden to Rødby route within a few years. “We take one nautical mile at a time and invest responsibly in tomorrow’s technology, leading the way towards a greener future,” says Guldmann Petersen. “Our skilled engineers have gained extensive experiences with our green solutions in recent years. The conversion of six of our passenger ferries to hybrid operation was a quantum leap of our green strategy. Now, we are heading towards our goal.” And of other fuel possibilities? “We are primarily focusing on battery storage systems for our zero-emission project as we have had very good experiences with our hybrid system, combining traditional diesel propulsion with electric battery propulsion. Nevertheless, we do not foreclose any means of becoming a fossil-free operator and we continuously keep an eye open for any development of sustainable alternatives to the battery storage systems.” CFR Copenhagen’s Norsepower rotor sail unit harnesses wind power and is expected to reduce emissions and fuel consumption by four to five per cent INTERV IEW Photo: Horst-Dieter Foerster/Scandlines