A year ago we posted about the innovative ideas and products developed by the Dutch firm, eConowind. They have developed a Ventfoil, a fixed airfoil-shaped spar with an internal fan that uses boundary layer suction to generate thrust. Ventfoils can be installed to provide sail-assisted propulsion on new ships, or retrofitted on existing vessels. There is also a modular version in which two Ventfoils can be deployed from inside a 40-foot container. The Ventfoils can be raised or lowered from the container in about 5 minutes.
Recently, an eCononwind Ventfoil container was installed on the TMA Logistics container barge Ms. Royaal, operating on the IJsselmeer and the Wadden Sea, between Harlingen and Amsterdam. The conditions were close to perfect. The route is typically very windy. That being said, the single eConowind container sail unit produced fuel savings of 10%, enough to justify further testing.
Fine for where air draft, as in bridge clearance not windiness is not a problem, but note that the bridge of the vessel (this is getting confusing) is designed to be lowered or raised. I think I’ll stop now. 🙂
Jean-Pierre, perhaps I should have made it more clear. The ventfoils can be retracted into the container. The claim is that they can be raised or lowered from the container in about 5 minutes.
so expensive material
Thanks Rick, they will be shooting the bridges like the Thames sailing barges with just a man and a boy to lower the mast.