Chemship's wind-assisted propulsion sets new standard in maritime industry

February 19, 2024, marks a significant milestone for Chemship as it launches its inaugural vessel equipped with wind-assisted propulsion, setting a new standard in sustainable shipping. The MT Chemical Challenger, a pioneering chemical tanker, now boasts the distinction of being the first of its kind globally to integrate eco-friendly wind technology into its operations. Assigned to ply the Trans-Atlantic route connecting the United States East Coast with the Mediterranean, this vessel heralds a new era of environmentally conscious maritime transportation.

The recent installation of four 16-meter-high aluminium wind sails on the 134-meter-long ship represents a groundbreaking advancement. Manufactured by Econowind, these VentoFoils provide a direct wind surface of 180 m2. Through innovative smart vacuum technology, the force of the wind is amplified fivefold, resulting in a gross wind surface equivalent to an imaginary sail spanning 30 by 30 meters. Chemship anticipates a significant reduction in CO2 emissions, targeting an average decrease of 10 per cent through the utilization of these turbo sails.

Leading the way in sustainability

Chemship's fleet is relatively young, with an average ship age of seven years. CEO Niels Grotz sees shipping returning to its roots with wind-assisted ship propulsion: "As an avid sailor, I know the power of the wind. We will harness this sustainable and free energy source on MT Chemical Challenger. Even though shipping already has the lowest carbon footprint of all transport modes, we can use wind to make our existing fleet even more sustainable. With the VentoFoils, we will use less fuel and thus reduce CO₂ emissions. For this vessel, we anticipate an annual CO₂ reduction of 850 tonnes. This is equivalent to the yearly CO₂ emissions of over 500 passenger cars."

ETS CO₂ pricing

It is interesting to note that the development of wind-assisted sailing coincided perfectly with the introduction of the European Emissions Trading System for the shipping industry. From 1 January, shipowners have been responsible for paying for emissions associated with transporting goods by sea to and from European ports.

Niels explains, “Our customers increasingly demand CO₂ reports. The better our ships perform, the higher the rating from our customers. Fewer emissions benefit the environment, and you will also notice it directly in your wallet.”

Business as usual

The wind sails fit well with Chemship's existing tanker configuration. Operations Director Michiel Marelis explains the choice of wind propulsion, "Shipping is evolution: one step at a time. Chemship was looking for a solution that would not interfere with normal operations. These windsails were easy to install without adding reinforcements to the ship. They are lightweight, have a small deck 'footprint' and do not obstruct the crew's line of sight. They can fold or set the sails as needed at the push of a button. Above wind force seven, the sails fold automatically, which is much safer. Now, it is learning by doing. With positive results, we will also equip the next vessel with VentoFoils."

Sustainability strategy

Wind propulsion is part of a larger sustainability plan, as Michiel explains, "The beauty of these turbo sails is that you can show it to customers. They immediately capture everyone's imagination. We hope this will inspire others to choose wind-assisted propulsion too. We also focus on less visible aspects, such as improved lubricating oils and a coating that enables the ship to glide through the water more efficiently. Cumulatively, this leads to fuel savings of over 15 per cent. This all goes hand in hand with a CO₂ reduction. Chemship remains committed to making the fleet more sustainable."