Modern Rotor Rail Technology Helps Ships Save Fuel and Reduce Emissions - Performance and Experiences from Recent Installations

Abstract

With an increasing need to reduce the emissions related to global shipping, means of emission free propulsion are required. Use of auxiliary wind propulsion is a natural choice as wind is free, globally available, and it is provided “on-site” instead of having to be transported with the ship from the port. Norsepower has modernised the Flettner rotor concept to obtain a highly efficient and robust solution to utilize the propulsive potential of the wind. Norsepower Rotor Sails harness the wind to provide a clean source of propulsion for various ship types. This paper addresses the need and means to provide the shipping market with verified information on the obtained savings with Rotor Sails. The paper also reviews the experiences of recent installations and finally provides an outlook of the global wind propulsion potential with respect to the busiest shipping routes.