The European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) study uncovered rotor sails’ dual impact: cutting fuel usage and emissions yet advising on associated risks.
Efficiency and Risks
A rotor sail is a modernized form of Flettner rotor based on the Magnus effect, which creates air pressure to cause spinning.
Under favourable wind conditions, rotor sails will enable a vessel’s main engine to throttle back and consume less fuel while providing enough power to maintain speed.
Fire Safety
The study found that the use of rotor sails poses some risks related to vessel vibration and extreme wind tolerance.
Excessive winds impact vessel stability and maneuvering with potential damage to rotor sails. Recommendations advise vessel dimension development for optimal rotor sail use. Additionally, low temperatures might lead to ice accumulation affecting sail functionality.
The report also highlighted the need to have a proper vessel fire suppression system onboard. This system should be capable of dousing a potential fire even at the top of a 30-metre-high rotor sail.
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Source: ENGINE
