Schram picks eConowind’s VentiFoil for cargo ship

Dutch shipping company Schram Shipping has signed a contract with compatriot wind propulsion solutions provider eConowind for new wind-assist installation.

Under the deal, eConowind will participate in research to optimize wind-assisted propulsion and install two of its 16-meter tall wind-assist VentiFoil units by the end of 2021.

These will be retrofitted on the 5,097 dwt general cargo vessel, MV Anna, built in 2008.

“When we realized the possibility of retrofitting a wind assist unit and how we can save CO2 emissions on our current ship, I was very enthusiastic right away: working with the wind instead of fighting the wind all the time,” Gerrit Schram, co-owner of Schram shipping, said.

“The installation is relatively simple and operations are hardly impacted at all, so we just want to do this now, joining the research.”

“We are very happy Schram Shipping, who has been sailing for Vertom for over 20 years now, signed this agreement for this Ventifoil project as the first ship of the almost 100 ships in our operations. We will follow the process closely and will study the results of the research to see what it can bring us in the future,” Thomas van Meerkerk of Vertom, Commercial Manager, said.

“We will get experience in this project on more long-haul shipping, such as the MV Anna operating frequently on the route from Rotterdam to Spain and the Mediterranean area. Gerrit is a hands-on entrepreneur keen on clean but economical operation. We call this Econology,” Frank Nieuwenhuis, CEO of eConowind, added.

eConowind’s solution, Ventifoil, can be containerized inside a 40ft container or fixed, retractable versions on a vessel so the size of the foils are not limited to container dimensions.

The Ventifoil is a wing shaped element using modern innovations in aerodynamics creating high propelling force relative to its size. Smart suction is integrated in the wing, resulting in double the force of the Ventifoil, while reefing when needed.

The Ventifoil is one of several wind-assist solutions for sea-going ships currently available in the market that have immense potential for achieving significant fuel consumption and GHG emission cuts. Last year, Gavin Allwright, Secretary of IWSA told Offshore Energy – Green Marine that 40 vessels are expected to have wind propulsion installed by the end of 2022.