Van Dam Shipping to Install Wind Assisted Propulsion System

The Netherlands-based Van Dam Shipping has signed a contract for the installation of an eConowind wind assisted propulsion system on one of its cargo ships.

The Ventifoil system, scheduled for delivery in the fourth quarter of 2019, would be installed on the 3,600 dwt cargo vessel MV Ankie.

The modular Ventifoil units are in the form of non-rotating wing with vents and an internal fan that use boundary layer suction for maximum effect. This installation will feature two, 10-meter wings along with two extensions of six meters that will generate significant force allowing the vessel to reduce motor power and thus save energy.

“We expect the reduction in fuel costs over a period of approx. three years will equal the costs of the system and thus fulfill our dream of using the wind again in modern shipping, which has been 40 years in the making,” Jan van Dam, owner of van Dam Shipping, said.

The deal represent the first commercial order for eConowind’s system, which completed sea test trials earlier this year.

The wind-assist system was developed over the past three years supported by an EU backed grant and this first installation “marks a significant milestone for the company in bringing their technology to a shipping market eager to deploy credible decarbonization solutions,” eConowind noted.

Van Dam Shipping will participate in further testing of the concept in the new EU Interreg backed Wind-Assist Ship Propulsion (WASP) research program, which from October will study practical use of wind-assisted systems in day-to-day operation as well as actual savings over an extended period of time.