Boomsa, Van Dam Shipping, Vertom Group and Schram Shipping collaborate with eConowind and become ambassadors to further develop wind-assisted propulsion units.
VentoFoil is a flexible, vertical ‘wing’ that converts wind into extra thrust. With this technology, eConowind claims that ships can already save up to 15 per cent on their fuel consumption on an annual basis. Wind is an inexhaustible and free source of energy. VentoFoil systems can be deployed regardless of whether a vessel runs on traditional or green fuels. According to the company, its wings can boost renewable fuels such as hydrogen, ammonia, methanol and/or electricity.
As eConowind reminds, with the start of the CO2 tax in 2024, it becomes important for ship owners to accelerate the green transformation. Frank Nieuwenhuis of eConowind stated that several shipping companies have closely followed the innovators and ordered their own VentoFoils.
I think the three key factors – unit cost, fuel prices and European ETS legislation – are converging in such a way that wind-assisted propulsion will soon become one of the standard solutions. eConowind will succeed in making a significant contribution to reducing shipping emissions.
..said Johan Boomsma of Boomsma Shipping, which became an ambassador for the wings
Jan van Dam, of Van Dam Shipping, reminded that they will have to go green as an industry and wind-assisted propulsion is a ‘quick win’. He claimed that with a 4,000-tonne vessel, they consume about 1,250 tonnes of fuel a year. Together with Tata Steel, they are looking at developing a hydrogen-powered ship.
With this solution, you can make the existing fleet more sustainable. As Vertom, we will deploy the system on 3 ships.
…said Thomas van Meerkerk of Vertom Group who also sees the VentoFoil system as part of the sustainability roadmap:
Captain Gerrit Schram of Vertom sees future-proofing shipping as an important task and believes that owners will need these kinds of systems in the near future to keep running their business.
