Wind Assisted Propulsion Systems (WAPS) company OceanWings has been awarded an Approval in Principle (AiP) from Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore (BV) for its Rigid Tiltable Wingsail (OW RT) technology.
The OW RT system has been specifically designed for installation, as part of both newbuild and retrofit projects, on tankers, chemical tankers, bulk carriers, and ro-pax vessels with either air draught limitation or port operation constraints. The technology allows for navigating under bridges and entering port infrastructure seamlessly due to its compact foldable wingsail. The solution is said to offer enhanced upwind performance and thrust-to-weight ratio and promises to deliver fuel and emissions savings, to support EEXI and CII compliance.
This milestone highlights the collaborative journey between OceanWings and BV, which began with the successful development of the Canopée project, a pioneering hybrid industrial wind powered cargo ship. This new AiP signals not only a step forward in the advancement of OceanWings’ technology but also marks a continuation of its commitment to fuel efficiency and emissions reduction in maritime transportation.
Christophe Chauviere, BV VP Southwest Europe, North Africa and Americas said: “The development of viable wind propulsion systems offers an exciting avenue to further supporting the maritime industry in its efforts to decarbonise. Solutions such as OceanWings OW RT technology provide a prime example of innovative technological developments that seek to integrate with current maritime operations, providing a viable means for ship owners and operators to make a meaningful impact on their carbon emissions.”
Christophe Paillusseau, VP Sales and Marketing, OceanWings, added: “Securing this AIP from Bureau Veritas, especially in Greece, represents a key endorsement for our work in providing the Shipping Industry with the most efficient wind assisted propulsion systems. It’s an affirmation of the importance of European shipping leadership in adopting and promoting sustainable maritime solutions.”
Image: OceanWings receives BV AiP certificate (source: Bureau Veritas)