Wind-assisted vessel to transport copper concentrates
BHP, Pan Pacific Copper (PPC) and Norsepower have completed retrofit installation of wind propulsion technology onboard a combination carrier.
The M/V Koryu vessel is now en route from Japan to Chile post rotor-sail installation .
The vessel will transport sulphuric acid from Japan to Chile and copper concentrates back the other way.
The Norsepower Rotor Sail is a modernised version of the Flettner rotor. The technology is based on the Magnus effect that harnesses wind to improve ship fuel efficiency.
When wind conditions are favourable, the sail allows the vessel’s main engines to be throttled back, saving fuel and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by reducing the power needed to maintain speed and voyage time.
Based on advanced simulations and performance data, the sail is estimated to provide 5-6% fuel savings, on average, on the route between Chile and Japan, and is expected to make M/V Koryu carrier the best performing vessel in its category for emissions intensity.
The rotor sail stands 35m tall with a diameter of 5m, and has a tilting foundation so that it can be lowered down for cargo loading and discharge operations at ports.
More like this...
