Bluetech’s wind-optimized tanker design models demonstrate significant gains in propulsion power and fuel savings on representative trade routes, based on a joint research project with tanker owner International Seaways, Inc. (INSW).
Bluetech partnered with NYSE-listed INSW to explore a critical question: Can wind propulsion deliver more power in our ships of the future? Advanced simulations using Bluetech’s new SeaWasp vessel design showed the answer to be a resounding yes.
With the support of wind-propulsion specialist Norsepower, Bluetech modified its BT50 design to extract maximum forward thrust from two 35m rotor sails. This resulted in a total savings of up to 876 kW of propulsion power on one representative INSW MR tanker route from San Francisco to South Korea – equating to about 597.2 MT of fuel per annum. The design modifications alone are estimated to contribute 104 kW or 71.5 MT of the savings, effectively improving the vessel’s overall performance by about 13.5 percent in certain conditions.
Wind-assisted ship propulsion (WASP) technologies have traditionally been used to add propulsion power to existing ship types that were not originally designed to accommodate such forces. Even newbuild projects that integrate WASP from the planning phase make little or no changes to the ship’s overall design beyond what is necessary to install the units and comply with regulations. However, Bluetech’s designers went back to the drawing board with SeaWasp, creating a vessel that is purpose-designed for wind, but still practical for INSW MR fleet operations.
“We set out to develop a ship that is entirely WASP-optimized, but maintains every essential operational feature and meets all trade-specific terminal and port restrictions,” said Sam Robin, director of energy savings solutions at Bluetech.
“We focused on more than just energy savings and emissions reduction — our goal was a concept design that works in the real-world conditions of the MR trade,” said Michael LaGrassa, director of performance and new construction at INSW. “That meant ensuring reasonable build costs, equivalent cargo capacity, and a design fit for purpose. Our approach was to test a wide range of scenarios across the MR trade, rather than rely on selectively favorable assumptions.”
For this reason, the project also carefully examined the lower end of the savings potential. For example, on a route from South Korea to Singapore, the SeaWasp saves 185.9 MT or 275 kW per annum vs. a conventionally powered BT50, due to the prevailing wind directions. Keeping such a baseline allowed for a range in the data analysis and ensured that any commercial projections were realistic.
“The future certainly looks brighter for our next generation of tanker shipping,” said William Nugent, Chief Technical and Sustainability Officer at INSW. “Creative problem solving following a thorough design process will be one of the keys to success.”
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