Korean shipping company HMM has installed a wing sail, a type of wind assisted propulsion system (WAPS), on the 50,000 dwt MR tanker ‘Oriental Aquamarine’.
The system uses wind power to generate additional thrust through aerodynamic lift, similar to an aircraft wing, supporting low-carbon vessel operations. The technology is considered particularly suitable for vessels that do not carry deck cargo, such as bulk carriers and tankers.
Depending on operating conditions, the installation is expected to deliver fuel savings of approximately 5% to 20%. Lower fuel consumption helps reduce carbon emissions and supports compliance with key environmental regulations such as the CII, GHG Fuel Intensity (GFI), and FuelEU Maritime.
Over the next two years, HMM plans to assess the performance of the wing sail based on actual operational data and, subject to the results, expand its installation across its entire bulk fleet.
According to HMM, building on low-emission technologies applied across the fleet, HMM will continue to advance the adoption of innovative solutions to further strengthen its long-term sustainability.
Image: WAPS onboard ‘Oriental Aquamarine’ (source: HMM)
