Pyxis Ocean is chartered by US shipping firm Cargill and has been retrofitted with two WindWings
Pyxis Ocean, a cargo ship is set to take its maiden voyage this month. But what’s special about this ship is that it is powered by wind. Yes, that’s right! Pyxis Ocean is set to be the first, in part, wind-powered cargo ship. The new technology incorporated hopes to drive the industry towards a greener future. Pyxis Ocean is chartered by US shipping firm Cargill and has been retrofitted with two WindWings.
These are large steel sails 123 feet tall, produced by Yara Marine Technologies and designed by BAR Technologies. WindWings are designed to reduce fuel consumption and thus reduce the carbon footprint. These are expected to generate emissions savings that save up to 30 percent. According to developers, if this is mixed with other alternative fuels, the savings could go even higher. The journey had begun in China and is traveling to Brazil.
Reducing the Carbon Footprint
The global shipping industry produces nearly one billion tonnes or more of carbon dioxide each year. This is around 3 percent of human-caused global emissions. The industry, owing to the increasing carbon emissions, pledged to reduce its planet-heating pollution to net zero by 2050. The use of wind power is one of the many steps taken to achieve this. The new wind-assisted propulsion technologies are becoming more popular in recent years.
Rotor technologies and huge kites have been used in cargo ships in an attempt to reduce their dependence on diesel. Today, according to the International Windship Association, only a few ships, i.e., 20 large commercial vessels are provided with wind propulsion. The CEO of BAR Technologies, John Cooper stated that the company has been essential in building momentum for WindWings, reports CNN. “They lead the way, and other people watch what they’re doing with respect,” he says.
Expanding Horizons
The WindWings initiative, co-funded by the European Union, brings a significant advantage by offering a retrofit solution that could substantially curtail the carbon emissions of existing ships. Cargill highlights that approximately 55 percent of the world’s cargo fleets have an age of up to nine years, making the project’s impact potentially widespread.
Beyond just reducing a vessel’s emissions, the WindWings also address the industry’s evolving energy efficiency regulations. Moreover, vessel owners can anticipate cost savings through reduced fuel consumption. Cargill states that WindWings has the potential to save 1.5 metric tonnes of fuel per wing daily on an average global route, with even greater potential on trans-ocean routes. This becomes especially pertinent when considering the future of eco-friendly fuels like ammonia and methanol, which are projected to be costlier.
The viability of wind-assisted technologies hinges on aligning their costs with the fuel savings they offer, as experts have noted. The WindWings, constructed from a blend of glass composite and steel materials, can be folded onto a ship’s deck before navigating ports or passing under bridges, preventing collisions. Their installation on the Pyxis Ocean in Shanghai was followed by its voyage to Singapore, where it was loaded with fuels and officially launched.
The performance of the WindWings will be monitored during the journey, enabling design refinements before large-scale production. BAR Technologies is already engaged in other contracts, including a vessel chartered by Vale, equipped with four WindWings, set to embark from Shanghai in September.
Cooper stated that they eagerly anticipate aiding the global shipping industry in its transition to more eco-friendly propulsion and design, giving importance to the company’s pledge to greener maritime practices.
The Pyxis Ocean could be the first step taken that would help to reduce carbon emissions in shipping while also reducing costs. Utilizing clean, renewable energy sources can help to reduce the amount of pollutants released into the environment while also cutting down on fuel costs. This could be an important step in helping to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and combat climate change.
