The Netherlands-based Econowind and Vertom will install wind-assist VentoFoil units aboard the general cargo vessels Progress and Perfect by the end of 2022.
The VentoFoil is the next generation of wind propulsion systems developed by Econowind and successor to the VentiFoil. The first VentiFoil will be installed aboard Vertom’s Anna in July 2022.
Rolf van Leeuwen, senior technical superintendent at shortsea specialist Vertom, stated: “Installing the VentiFoils is a big step forward in reducing CO2 emissions and fuel consumption for our current fleet. It is, along with our upcoming newbuilding programme, a good step towards reducing our carbon footprint.”
Frank Nieuwenhuis, ceo of Econowind, added: “We are delighted to add Vertom to our customer base and to make this next step in making shipping more sustainable together. The more installations we can retrofit, the more data we can attain and learn from. This provides us with solid proof of how wind assisted ship propulsion is reducing emissions per nautical mile and improving vessels their EEXI/EEDI. This also serves as a justification for the investment; the costs of systems can be covered by the savings.”
