- HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering has developed a 30-meter wind sail designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions using wind power.
- A land-based test in Changwon confirmed the device’s performance; it will be tested at sea on an HMM-operated tanker later this year.
- The sail includes auxiliary wings and a tilting function for safety and improved thrust in varying weather conditions.
- The project is part of a national initiative combining government policy support and private-sector innovation to advance smart, eco-friendly ship technologies.
HD Hyundai has announced a major step forward in sustainable ship technology. On the 17th, its intermediate holding company, HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering, revealed the successful development of a wind sail—an eco-friendly device designed to harness wind power for vessel propulsion. This innovation marks a push toward greener solutions in the maritime sector, as reported by CHOSUNBIZ.
Wind Sail Prototype Demonstrated for Emission Reduction
HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering recently demonstrated the capabilities of its newly developed wind sail prototype at a land-based verification event held in Changwon, Gyeongnam. This event highlighted the system’s stability and performance ahead of its planned installation on an MR-class tanker operated by HMM later this year. The wind sail functions as an auxiliary power source, utilizing lift generated by wind through a structure similar to an aircraft wing.
This design supports reduced greenhouse gas emissions by lowering the greenhouse gas intensity, an index that measures emissions relative to activity levels such as transportation and energy use. With regulatory pressure increasing from both the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the European Union (EU), such innovations are timely. The device stands 30 meters tall and 10 meters wide, equipped with auxiliary wings to maximize thrust. It also features a tilting mechanism that allows the wings to fold during adverse weather, improving overall navigation safety and operational reliability.
Collaborative Effort Supports Wind Sail Development
The verification of the wind sail was conducted as part of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries’ initiative titled “Integrated Management Technology Development for Ship Emission Greenhouse Gases (GHG).” The project is focused on reducing marine carbon emissions through eco-friendly innovations and advancing smart ship technologies. This initiative was made possible through a combination of policy support from the Ministry and the Korea Maritime Institute of Science and Technology (KIMST), along with technical contributions from key research collaborators such as HMM, Korea Register (KR), and HD Hyundai Marine Solution. In addition, private sector companies like Oriental Precision & Engineering and Human Composite played a significant role through their participation in Busan’s ‘Innovation Special Zone Support Project.’
Representatives from HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering expressed confidence that the successful land-based trials, along with the upcoming sea trials in the latter half of the year, would move the company closer to commercializing the wind sail. They also emphasized plans to further enhance their eco-friendly ship technologies and maintain a leading position in the growing green shipping market.
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Source: CHOSUNBIZ
