The ferry line has decided to install Norsepower's Rotor Sail Solution on-board the company's hybrid diesel-electric ro-pax Copenhagen.
The sail is a modernised version of the Flettner rotor, a spinning cylinder that uses the Magnus effect to harness wind power to thrust a ship. When wind conditions are favourable, it enables the electric propulsion thrusters and centre propel to be throttled back, reducing emissions – while providing the power needed to maintain speed and voyage time. Because it generates supplementary thrust from the wind, the solution is compatible with other emissions saving technologies.
The route between Gedser and Rostock, across which Copenhagen sails alongside her sister ship Berlin, is almost perpendicular to the prevailing wind from the west, giving favourable conditions for using rotor sails, says Scandlines.
Preparations for the retrofit will take place in November 2019, with the installation of the 30 m-tall and 5 m-in diameter single rotor sail scheduled for Q2 2020.
"By installing a rotor sail, we can reduce CO2 emissions on the Rostock-Gedser route by 4-5%," Søren Poulsgaard Jensen, CEO, Scandlines, highlighted.
To this Tuomas Riski, CEO, Norsepower, added, "As a leading clean technology and engineering company, we are proud to be partnering with Scandlines as we work towards a modern era of auxiliary wind propulsion for the global maritime fleet, while supporting shipping's transition to a low-carbon future."
Malte Siegert, Head of Environmental Policy, German Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union (NABU), also commented on the ferry line's decision, "NABU welcomes Scandlines' various efforts towards sustainable shipping. With rotors besides hybrid drives, the company sets new standards in terms of integrating different technical solutions to mitigate especially climate and air pollution emissions. To reach the Paris climate goals, more corporate responsibility by other shipping companies is needed."
Photo: Scandlines