DSME, DNV in Wind-assisted Propulsion Collab

September 5, 2022

DSME WAPS prototype under construction, Courtesy: DSME

South Korea's Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME) and classification society DNV have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to establish energy-saving wind assistance propulsion technology.

Wind-assisted propulsion will be the focus of a major innovation drive between DSME and DNV as part of shipping’s global decarbonization efforts.

Dong-Kyu Choi, Executive Vice President, Head of DSME’s R&D Institute, and Vidar Dolonen, Regional Manager Korea & Japan at DNV Maritime signed the agreement, under which the two companies will jointly develop ship wind-assisted propulsion systems, including a rotor sail solution, fuel saving device technology, and will cooperate in promoting future-related businesses.Image caption: Dong-Kyu Choi (EVP Head of DSME R&D Institute, left) and Vidar Dolonen (Regional Manager Korea & Japan, DNV Maritime) sign the MOU for WAPS development at Gastech in Milan, Italy. - Credit: DNV

Primary tasks include DNV’s Type Approval Design Certificate (TADC) and technical support for DSME’s future rotor sail system, and a joint study of a Wind Assisted Propulsion System (WAPS) on deep-sea vessels such as LNG carriers and VLCC.

"The rotor sail system is one of the next-generation eco-friendly technologies that use wind power to reduce ship fuel and greenhouse gas emissions. It provides additional thrust to a ship’s propulsion power through aerodynamic forces generated by a rotating cylindrical column (rotor sail) installed on deck,"DNV said.

In March 2021, DSME’s Rotor Sail System had obtained Approval in Principle from DNV. In addition, DSME is in the process of producing a prototype of the full-scale DSME Rotor Sail to perform various tests, and it is scheduled to be completed by the end of October 2022.
DNV provides a range of services related to Wind Assisted Propulsion Systems, covering classification, certification and advisory. Additionally, DNV said had updated its rules and would release enhanced standards ensuring general safety improvements for ships with WAPS.

"Achievements through our continuous cooperation led us to the signing of today’s MOU. DNV’s expertise in WAPS technology will greatly support DSME and the industry’s decarbonization efforts,” said Vidar Dolonen.

Dong-Kyu Choi affirmed, "The rotor sail system is a proven technology. The collaboration with DNV will speed up the realization and commercialization of innovative WAPS technologies."