Wind-assisted ship propulsion for VLCCs and LNGCs gets BV’s green light

Classification society Bureau Veritas has awarded an approval in principle to Hyundai Heavy Industries Co. – Hyundai Global Service CO. (HHI), TotalEnergies Gas & Power, and Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL), for wind-assisted ship propulsion (WASP) on a very large crude carrier (VLCC) and a liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier.

As informed, the approval was presented at this year’s Nor-Shipping conference in Oslo. The companies worked on a joint development project (JDP) to better understand and validate the potential for WASP on these ship types. 

The JDP focused on three wind propulsion technologies, two of which were wing sails and one a rotor sail system.

According to the partners, the principal conclusion of the project and the subsequent issuance of the AiP demonstrate that all of these systems are compatible with existing classification rules and regulations for VLCCs and LNG carriers. This paves the way for more detailed work to address specific risks that would enable detailed design and arrangement work to proceed.

BV actively participates in multiple WASP projects, supporting the development of innovative technologies. In March 2021, BV released an update to its rule note for WIND PROPULSION SYSTEMS (WPS) – NR 206. 

These dedicated rules serve as the key classification framework for wind assisted propulsion. Firstly, during the design review stage, the rules ensure the safety and proper integration of wind propulsion systems with other onboard systems. Secondly, throughout the vessel’s in-service life, the rules address survey regimes and maintenance requirements.  

Last year, BV granted AiP to French R&D office which specialises in nautical applications CRAIN Technologies (Centre de Recherche pour l’Architecture et l’Industrie Nautiques) for its suction wing SW270, an auxiliary wind propulsion device for cargo ships.