The vessel, part of the Odfjell fleet, installed sail technology just over a year ago and has already helped avoid tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions. Recently, researchers from SINTEF were invited on board to study how the crew interact with and adapt to the new technology.
Global shipping accounts for around three per cent of the world's greenhouse gas emissions. Wind-assisted propulsion using sails is among the technologies that can reduce fuel consumption and emissions right now. The technology can be installed on ships that are already in operation.
Huge fuel savings with sails
As part of the WAPS-IT project, researchers Thor Albrektsen and Rolf Johan Bye joined the vessel on a voyage from Korea via Japan to China. Their aim was to investigate what skills and training seafarers need to operate modern wind-assisted propulsion systems.
When crossing oceans, the ship consumes around 25 tonnes of fuel per day. Under optimal conditions, the sails can provide up to 40 per cent of the vessel’s energy demand.
“We’re sailing the Mercedes of chemical tankers,” says Chief Officer Vetle Høgevold.
A fitting description of one of the most advanced vessels in the liquid bulk shipping sector.
Odfjell's investment in wind propulsion
Bow Olympus is a chemical tanker specialising in complex liquid cargoes, with a carrying capacity of 49,000 tonnes. The vessel is part of Odfjell's strategic investment in sail technology, with one additional retrofit planned and two newbuilds currently under construction.
“For us, this is both an environmental initiative and a test of how far wind-assisted propulsion can be taken in commercial operations,” says Jan Opedal, Manager Projectsat Odfjell.
In addition to the sails, the vessel uses advanced weather routing technology. Its route is updated every 12 hours to take maximum advantage of favourable winds, benefit from ocean currents and avoid hazardous storms. Although the route is adjusted according to weather conditions, port arrival schedules remain unaffected. The vessel still arrives on time.
“Since the sails were installed, the combination of wind-assisted propulsion and advanced weather routing has delivered a clear reduction in fuel consumption,” says Opedal at Odfjell.
WAPS-IT aims to make sail technology part of maritime training
WAPS-IT is owned by Seatrans Group and is partly funded by the Research Council of Norway. The project's goal is to develop an international standard for competence and training in wind-assisted propulsion systems (WAPS) and to integrate sail technology into maritime education.
To achieve this, the project is identifying the knowledge and skills crews need when sails become part of everyday vessel operations. The experience gained on board Bow Olympus can then be transferred to other vessels and shipping companies.
“We have already made some interesting findings,” say Thor Albrektsen of SINTEF Ocean and Rolf Johan Bye of SINTEF Digital.
Key findings so far:
- Operating the sails requires relatively little additional effort from navigators
- The greatest training need is in technical maintenance and system understanding, particularly for electricians
- WAPS-IT is contributing to the IMO's work on future training requirements for wind-assisted propulsion technologies in collaboration with key stakeholders such as the International Windship Association
A ship that doubles as a floating data lab
Bow Olympus and other vessels in the Odfjell fleet serve as full-scale data laboratories in several research projects, including ReSail, Wintegrate and AWESOME. While WAPS-IT focuses on the people on board and the competencies required to operate wind-assisted propulsion systems, the other projects investigate the technological aspects of harnessing wind power at sea.
For researchers, the opportunity to study a vessel in commercial operation rather than in a simulator or on paper provides a rare insight into how sail technology performs in real-world conditions. It also helps them understand what the technology means for the people who work with it every day.
“Data like these are essential for developing effective training programmes and for designing the low- and zero-emission ships of the future,” says Albrektsen.
A working day that feels familiar
The findings suggest that wind-assisted propulsion does not dramatically change the navigator’s day-to-day work. When an officer takes over a four-hour watch, one of the key tasks is to review the planned route and assess whether engine speed should be adjusted along the way.
The sails operate in an automatic mode that continuously optimises the amount of lift they generate, requiring little manual intervention during routine operations. In practice, the role is largely one of monitoring: keeping an eye on the weather, checking the position and performance of the sails, and ensuring that the system is functioning as intended.
“From the bridge, we can monitor the status of the sails and switch them on and off with ease,” says Second Officer Viktor Hasfjord.
“The deck officers have embraced the technology and found it both intuitive and easy to use,” says Albrektsen.
As part of the project, he mapped the crew’s day-to-day tasks and found that navigation officers spend a considerable amount of time planning routes, while the addition of weather routing appears to add little to their overall workload. Most of their time is still devoted to checking navigational zones, voyage plans and port information.
At the same time, several crew members highlighted that the technology is intuitive once they have become familiar with it, and that the transition from conventional operations has been largely seamless, Albrektsen explains.
The greatest competence needs are below deck
The crew on board have responded positively to the sails, even though many of them have limited direct interaction with the system.
“They take pride in working on a vessel that reduces fuel consumption,” says Albrektsen.
The project has nevertheless identified a potential need for new competencies elsewhere on board. According to Albrektsen, both electricians and engineers on board believe that wind-assisted propulsion should become part of maritime education and training if the technology sees wider adoption.
As more vessels begin to use sail technology, ensuring that technical personnel receive adequate training in operation, maintenance and system integration will become increasingly important.
