Ventifoil wind-assist gets first commercial installation

The Ventifoils resemble aircraft wings with vents and also feature an internal fan. This combination helps create boundary layer suction that delivers a propelling force, enabling vessels to reduce fuel use. Ventifoils are just one of a number of wind-assist concepts emerging as shipping seeks to reduce carbon emissions, with The Engineer exploring the technology in-depth in its February cover feature.

https://www.theengineer.co.uk/wind-ships-marine-propulsion/

The 3,600 DWT general cargo vessel MV Ankie recently made its first voyage with its new Ventifoils attached, sailing from Delfzijl in the Netherlands to Hamburg, onwards to Norway and then back to Rotterdam. The journey was carried out by Jan van Dam Shipping on behalf of maritime logistics conglomerate Wagenborg.

“We take an active part in the shipping industry’s de-carbonising energy transition,” Wagenborg said in a statement.

“Together with our stakeholders, such as our affiliated captain owners, clients, investors, employees and suppliers, we accept sustainability challenges to reduce our environmental footprint. We are happy Jan van Dam, who has been sailing for Wagenborg over 26 years now, picked up the glove resulting in this Ventifoil project.”