A wind of
innovation is blowing through Marfret. As part of our commitment to energy
transition, we have fitted one of our ships with 21st-century sails.
Four aluminium sails, in fact, will provide power to the Marfret Niolon as
it is borne by the trade winds on the MPV service.
Using the
force of the wind -a clean, free and infinite source of energy- for assistance
was the subject of a months-long study, which led to Marfret equipping the Marfret
Niolon with four wing-shaped sails, which are expected to provide fuel
savings of between 10 and 15%. “We firmly believe in the future of
containerisation and energy and that’s what led us to opt for the technology
developed by the Dutch firm eConowind.” Indeed, the wing-sails are easy to
deploy and, since they are stored in a 40’ container. “All the ingenuity of the
container, the foundation in many ways of our business, has here been applied
to a system to assist the ship’s propulsion,” points out Guillaume Vidil. Containerisation also allows great
adaptability, as the wings can easily be transferred from one ship to another to
suit the needs of our shipping lines.
Inside, the
control system and hydraulics deploy the sails and retract them on entering
port. The quartermaster on the bridge decides when to raise or lower the sails,
depending on the weather conditions encountered during the voyage.
Marfret intends extending the system to its entire
roro fleet, combining it with coupled reversible alternators, providing hybrid
wind and electric power. “We are committed to making our energy transition
happen and to develop our position as a company apart from the rest,” insists Vidil.
As the world begins to grasp the challenges laid down by global warming,
Marfret intends playing its part in the collective effort.
Photo: The Marfret Niolon fitted with four
aluminium sails that will provide fuel savings of 10-15%.
