NYK Line has announced that NYK Bulkship Atlantic (NB Atlantic), a group company based in Antwerp, Belgium, has equipped its bulk carrier “NBA MAGRITTE” (82,099 DWT) with two “VentoFoil” wind-assisted propulsion systems manufactured by Econowind (Netherlands). This marks the first time an NYK Group vessel has been fitted with a wind-assisted propulsion system.
The vessel will be deployed under a long-term time charter contract with the American grain major, Cargill. NB Atlantic, in collaboration with Cargill International (Switzerland) and MTI (Monohakobi Technology Institute), a research and development arm of the NYK Group, will collect data on weather, sea conditions, and propulsion power generated by the wind-assisted propulsion systems during voyages to assess their effectiveness.
NYK Line plans to leverage the experience gained from these voyages for further research and development, promoting various energy-saving technologies, including wind utilization. The company aims to achieve net-zero emissions in its international shipping business.
The installation was completed on July 8, 2024, at the Port of Rotterdam in the Netherlands. The system consists of a base approximately 6 meters long with a 16-meter wing erected on it, forming a suction sail that captures wind to amplify pressure difference and generate about five times the force.
The system is relatively small, making it easy to install and relocate. It can be folded down during cargo handling operations and operated via a touch panel from the ship’s bridge, allowing crew members to manage it without additional workload.
〆日本郵船、初の風力推進補助装置。BCにヴェントフォイル搭載
日本郵船は、同社グループのNYKバルクシップアトランティック（ベルギー・アントワープ、NBアトランティック）が保有するバルカー「NBA MAGRITTE」（8万2099重量トン）に、エコノウィンド（オランダ）製の風力推進アシスト装置「VentoFoil（ヴェントフォイル）」を2基搭載したと発表した。日本郵船は、郵船グループの船舶に初めて風力推進アシスト装置を搭載する。
同船は穀物メジャーのカーギル（米国）との長期定期用船契約に投入する。NBアトランティックは、カーギルインターナショナル（スイス）、郵船グループで輸送の研究開発を行うMTIと共同で、航海中の気象・海象や風力推進アシスト装置による推進力などのデータを集め、効果の検証を進める。
日本郵船は航海で得た経験を研究開発に活用して、風力の利用を含めたさまざまな省エネ技術に関する取り組みを推進する。日本郵船は外航海運事業でのネット・ゼロエミッションを目指す。
