Scandlines hybrid ferry with Norsepower Rotor Sail
Only a month ago, Scandlines passenger ferry M/V Copenhagen operating between Rostock (Germany) and Gedser (Denmark) was retrofitted with a 30m tall Rotor Sail unit.
The installation provided by Norsepower Oy Ltd., the leading global supplier of auxiliary renewable wind propulsion systems, was fitted within ours during a scheduled overnight stop in port of Rostock. Thanks to the solution the M/V Copehagen, a hybrid passenger ferry will reduce its' emissions and save fuel by an estimated 4-5%.
Norsepower CEO, Tomas Ruoski, commented: "The addition of Norsepower's Rotor Sail makes the M/V Copenhagen one of the world's most energy-efficient ferries. With increasing international regulatory and public pressure on maritime industry to decarbonize, it is essential for the industry to recognize the value of one of the oldest forms of the propulsion - wind. The market for the wind propulsion is increasing, and this installation demonstrates how combining all methods of vessel optimisation is key to broder process."
Søren Poulsgaard Jensen, Scandlines CEO admitted: “We see huge value in investing in technology with the ultimate goal of reducing emissions. Working with Norsepower on this innovative solution was a perfect fit with our values and ambitions regarding sustainable shipping. On our modern, hybrid ferry, this solution will sit alongside hydrodynamic hull optimisation, and a hybrid electric propulsion system with a battery powered energy storage system, improving not only our efficiency but also profitability. We look forward to seeing the instant benefits of this technology.”
The Norsepower Rotor Sail Solution can be fitted on both new vessels or existing ships. It is a modernised version of the Flettner rotor - spinning cylinder using the Magnus effect to harness wind power in order to thrust a ship.
The Norsepower technology is the first data verified and commercially operational auxiliary wind propulsion solution for the global maritime industry. Being fully automated it detects whenever the wind is strong enough to deliver emission savings, at which point the Rotor Sails start automatically.
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