Wind Power Resurfaces In Cargo Shipping With Recycled Plastic

• The cargo shipping industry is exploring sustainable alternatives, with wind power gaining traction through innovative sails.
• Firms like Norsepower are implementing rigid sails, such as the “Rotor Sail,” contributing to significant fuel savings.
• These sails, which tilt for bridge clearance, now incorporate recycled plastic bottles, enhancing their sustainability.
• Norsepower’s retrofit project with Oldendorff Carriers demonstrates the potential for widespread adoption. With almost 30,000 vessels considered for retrofitting, wind power emerges as a viable bridge to decarbonize maritime transport.

Wind Power in Cargo Shipping

The cargo shipping industry is gradually embracing low-emission fuels, with wind power emerging as a sustainable option. Norsepower’s “Rotor Sail” demonstrates significant fuel savings, with a claimed 28% reduction, combining aerodynamic sails and optimized shipping routes.

Innovative Sails and Sustainability

Norsepower deploys Flettner rotors, resembling smokestacks, utilizing the Magnus effect to generate thrust and propel ships. To enhance sustainability, Norsepower incorporates recycled plastic bottles into its sail design, with one sail containing approximately 342,000 recycled PET bottles. Rigid sails, including the “Wing 560” by Swedish firm OceanBird, also incorporate recycled plastic, reflecting a broader trend in environmentally conscious sail designs.

Scaling Up and Retrofit Initiatives

Norsepower envisions retrofitting almost 30,000 vessels, including passenger ships, with Rotor Sails, presenting a significant opportunity for the shipping industry. Collaborations with shipping firms, like Oldendorff Carriers, showcase the practical implementation of wind power retrofits. Leasing programs, such as the one involving IINO Kaiun Kaisha, Ltd. and Mizuho Leasing Company, aim to reduce upfront installation costs, promoting wider adoption of wind power in maritime transport.

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Source: Clean Technica

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