K-Line, in collaboration with its partner, the Electric Power Development Company (J-Power), has announced that it will be installing an automated kite system on one of its bulk carriers. This system, developed by France-based Airseas and named “Seawing”, provides supplemental wind propulsion, reducing fuel expenditure for vessels. The installation timeline has not yet been confirmed.
The Seawing system is currently undergoing rigorous testing and is expected to enter commercial production in 2024. K-Line has stated that it will be installing the system on its bulker, the “CORONA CITRUS”, a 88,700 dwt vessel that is 751 ft long. The vessel, owned by K-Line and operating on charter for J-Power, transports coal and is already equipped with eco-friendly systems, such as a ballast water treatment system and a Sox scrubber. It currently operates between Newcastle, Australia, and Osaka, Japan.
The Seawing system is fully automated, thanks to flight, bridge, and deck computers that work in unison to calculate the kite’s position and direction based on wind speed, direction, and the ship’s speed and direction. The kite can be stored and deployed automatically. K-Line expects that the installation of this system will reduce CO2 emissions by at least 20%.
Last year, K-Line announced that it had extended its collaboration with Airseas and would be installing the Seawing system on five of its ships, two Capesize bulkers, and three post-Panamax bulkers. The first LNG-fuelled bulk carrier, which is being built by Nihon Shipyard Co., will also incorporate this technology and will be operated by K-Line.
The opinions expressed herein are the author’s and not necessarily those of News2Sea.
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