Wallenius Marine is conducting advanced wind tunnel tests in Gothenburg to develop the world’s first wind-powered Pure Car and Truck Carrier (PCTC) vessel.
As explained, between December 6-9, experts from RISE, KTH, and Oceanbird gathered for crucial tests to validate the latest design for wind-powered PCTC vessels. The “wind tunnel” project is a large, controlled environment used to simulate wind conditions and study how air interacts with the ship’s design, particularly the hull and wing sails. In this case, the wind tunnel is located in Gothenburg and is one of the most advanced in Europe, capable of simulating wind speeds of up to 250 km/h.
These tests will confirm the design and contribute to the development of new data simulation models for wind-powered ships.
We are currently at a central stage in the design process where we want to ensure that the design meets all technical and operational requirements before finalizing the tender design,
… said Carl Fagergren, Senior Project Manager at Wallenius Marine.
The tests are being conducted by the RISE Maritime Department (formerly SSPA), which has constructed a 5×2 meter model using advanced technology. The model weighs 1.2 tons and is used to simulate the full aerodynamic performance of the ship in the wind tunnel. Previously, wing sails have been tested independently, but this combination of hull and multiple wings in a large wind tunnel with a full-scale model makes this test unique. This round of tests includes:
- The interaction between the vessel’s hull and six high-tech wing sails.
- Testing the optimal distance between hull and wings for maximum performance.
- Testing three different types of command bridges and their impact on the vessel’s performance.
- How “off-design conditions” affect the ship’s operation, such as when a wing sail is positioned at the wrong angle or location.
- Data for the development of wing control systems.
The hull and multi-wing wind tunnel tests are a milestone in the development of wind-powered PCTC vessels, a journey that began with a sketch on paper in 2017. The next important step is in 2025, when the Oceanbird wing sail will be tested live aboard a Wallenius Marine vessel, providing further input on the path toward zero-emission shipping and the development of the ship design.
