Cargill's Wind Powered Ship Makes Case For Reducing Shipping Emissions

Named Pyxis Ocean, a vessel chartered by Cargill, which has been powered up by wind energy, has undertaken its first voyage.

22 Aug 2023 14:57 IST

Updated On 22 Aug 2023 15:55 IST

Named Pyxis Ocean, a vessel chartered by Cargill, which has been powered up by wind energy, has undertaken its first voyage.

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The WindWings sails are designed in a way that they help curb fuel consumption by three times and consequently the carbon footprint in shipping, which contributes close to 2.1% of carbon emissions worldwide.

What Makes WindWings Groundbreaking

The Pyxis Ocean carried out its first voyage from China to Brazil is touted as the first real-world test of the WindWings.

When in port, the wings of the ships are folded down but spread out in water. At 123ft (37.5m) tall, the wings are composed of the same material as wind turbines. This makes them durable.

When a ship is dragged along by the force of the wind, it could bring down the carbon emissions of a ship by 30% over its lifetime. This is because it also reduces dependence on the engines.

The vessel has been developed by BAR Technologies, a UK based firm. "This is one of the most slow-moving projects we've done, but without doubt with the biggest impact for the planet," The head of the firm, John Cooper, said of the innovation. He also estimated that by 2025, the new ships that are built "will be ordered with wind propulsion."

While the vessel is a boon for the environment, it also promises massive savings with one-and-a-half tonnes of fuel saved per day. This translates to 20 tonnes of CO2 saved everyday. The figures could prove to be a gamechanger for the maritime industry and the planet on the whole.

Not just that, WindWings are designed for low OpEx with easy operation and low maintenance. The wings are fitted to the deck of the vessel, but can be folded away at the touch of a button. The system is automated, which means that it is easy and safe to operate without the need for additional crew, further offering savings.

The wings have have been manufactured in China. This is, as per Cooper, because there is no support in bringing down cost of steel that is imported. In turn, this takes up the cost of the whole exercise, making it cheaper when manufactured in another country.

Co-funded by the European Union, the WindWings project, has set its sights on paving the path for a retrofit solution to aid with the decarbonization of current vessels. The opportunity to exploit the potential of wind is massive since it not obly offers zero emissions but also can be used limitlessly and predictable, enhancing efficiency levels.

What Lies Ahead

Now that the vessel has set sail, WindWings will be closely gauged for its performance and operation to facilitate better design along with operation, and performance. There are aspirations that once it proves successful, Pyxis Ocean will serve as a model of inspiration for not just adoption for Cargill's fleet, but also augmentation across the whole industry.

Meanwhile, hundreds of similar wings from BAR Technologies and Yara Marine Technologies are already in the works over the span of the following next four years. BAR Technologies also continues to execute researches on newbuilds with better hydrodynamic hull forms.

The shipping industry, which carries the world's trade besides other roles, accounts for 3% of global emissions, as compared to aviation with about 2.5%. These have been considered particularly difficult to reduce thus far, and every attempt to make a serious dent should be welcomed. Options from LNG, to methanol powered ships to electric ships for small distances, besides wider moves like using cleaner marine gas oils instead of the horrific bunker fuels ( effectively the dregs left over after refining crude oil) have been tried, but none at a scale that would make the kind of meaningful impact that is needed. Combining wind energy and ships seems like an obvious idea that should be pursued for all it is worth.

WindWings shipping emissions Pyxis Ocean Cargill Carbon emissions in shipping BAR Technologies

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