By Maggie Johnson
December 10, 2024
Image Credit: “Fuel Free Ro Ro Ships: Inside the Largest Wind Car Carrier Ship,” available at Yahoo Images (12/10/2024).
Wallenius Marine is making significant strides in sustainable shipping with pioneering wind tunnel tests in Gothenburg for the world's first wind-powered Pure Car and Truck Carrier (PCTC). These tests, conducted at wind speeds of up to 250 km/h, represent a crucial advancement in green maritime innovation. With the support of €9 million in EU funding through Horizon Europe in 2023, this groundbreaking project is a major leap towards eco-friendly transportation.
The vessel, known as Orcelle Wind, is being developed in partnership with naval architecture firm KNUD E. HANSEN and aims to reduce emissions by an impressive 90 percent. Senior Project Manager Carl Fagergren emphasizes the importance of this phase, stating that the design must meet all technical and operational standards before finalizing the tender.
The testing process features a highly advanced 1.2-ton model, measuring 5 x 2 meters, to analyze the ship's aerodynamic performance. What sets this program apart is its unique combination of hull and wing sail assessments in a large-scale wind tunnel. This approach allows for the evaluation of interactions between the ship's hull and six state-of-the-art wing sails, optimal configurations, and the impact of bridge designs on performance.
Designed to transport 7,000 cars and additional cargo, the 220-meter-long vessel will operate at speeds of 10-12 knots under sail power, with options for higher speeds using auxiliary systems such as [specific system details]. Operational deployment is targeted for late 2026 or early 2027.
As the flagship of the Oceanbird concept, which envisions a fleet of wind-powered vessels for sustainable shipping, Orcelle Wind highlights Wallenius Wilhelmsen's dedication to zero-emission maritime transport. The Oceanbird concept, a collaborative effort involving experts from organizations such as RISE, KTH, and Oceanbird, aims to [specific details about the Oceanbird concept]. The Orcelle Wind project is a significant step towards realizing this vision, paving the way for a sustainable future in shipping.
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