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First Wing 560 fitted in Rotterdam
Damen Shiprepair Harbour & Voyage has installed the first Oceanbird Wing 560 rigid wingsail aboard Wallenius Wilhelmsen’s vehicle carrier MV Tirranna, targeting lower fuel consumption through wind assisted propulsion.
The installation was completed at Damen Shiprepair Rotterdam’s Botlek facility. The wingsail measures 40 metres by 14 metres and reaches a total height of 46 metres when its foundation is included.
Two 750 tonne cranes lifted the structure into position. The installation took three days following detailed preparation between Damen, Wallenius Wilhelmsen, Oceanbird and Sarens.
Tilting system protects operations
The Wing 560 is designed to tilt, allowing MV Tirranna to continue operating at ports and navigate locations where overhead clearance could otherwise restrict access.
Rigid wingsails use wind to provide additional vessel propulsion, reducing the amount of power required from the ship’s engines. Wallenius Wilhelmsen expects the installation to lower MV Tirranna’s fuel consumption, although no specific reduction figure was provided.
What does it take to place a structure almost 50 metres tall on an operating cargo vessel? In this case, the work required coordinated heavy lifting, advance engineering and a tightly managed installation window.
The project adds to Damen’s experience with wind assisted propulsion systems and provides Oceanbird with its first shipboard installation of the Wing 560. MV Tirranna will now serve as the initial operational application for the rigid wingsail technology.
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