With decarbonization goals looming, the industry continues to investigate and develop sustainable methods for powering vessels. The Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) Maritime Administrator is a participant in the second phase of the Wind Assisted Ship Propulsion (WiSP2) Joint Industry Project (JIP), led by the Maritime Research Institute Netherlands (MARIN) and American Bureau of Shipping (ABS).
WiSP2 builds upon the wind performance prediction methodology developed in WiSP1, focusing on methods to predict the performance of wind propulsion on ships to provide input for the development of International Maritime Organization (IMO) rules and regulations.
International Registries, Inc. and its affiliates (IRI) provide administrative and technical support to the RMI Maritime and Corporate Registries. Jasbir Jaspal, Senior Vice President, Maritime Services and based in the Reston office, will serve as a member of the WiSP2 Participant Steering Group (PSG). “The main purpose of WiSP2 is to calculate the performance of wind power generated by various devices such as flettner rotors, dynarigs, suction wings, kite, wing sails, among others,” said Mr. Jaspal. “This is important work which enables practical solutions to reducing CO2 and other greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions,” he continued.
“This project will enhance the industry’s understanding of wind technology and the parameters that influence wind propulsion,” said Simon Bonnett, Senior Vice President, Technical, who is the alternate PSG member for the project from IRI’s London office.
“As our owners consider installing wind propulsion systems, our team will have experience and intimate knowledge about the technology and its potential impact on safe vessel operations,” continued Mr. Jaspal. “This is just one of the initiatives the RMI Registry is undertaking to support the shipping industry, especially owners and operators, as they evaluate alternate means of ship propulsion to reduce GHG emissions.”
“The RMI Registry aims to remain one step ahead of our clients’ needs and participating in this project allows us do to that,” added Mr. Jaspal.
Currently, MEPC.1/Circ.815 is the only industry standard for the prediction of wind propulsion performance, and it lacks detail on how performance predictions should be carried out. The WiSP projects aim to provide that clarity and support for future regulatory guidelines.
“Today, regardless of the primary fuel being consumed, sustainable shipping can be achieved with alternative sources of energy such as supplemental power which offers a viable method to reduce GHG emissions. Therefore, we want to prove wind assisted propulsion is reliable, has quantifiable benefits in terms of CO2 reduction, among others, and is safe operationally,” noted Mr. Bonnett. “Participating in research with leading industry partners allows the RMI Registry to engage and discuss options and solutions and assist in the development of the regulatory framework of GHG reduction.”
More than 18 companies are participating in the project: MARIN, ABS, CSSRC, DSIC, Norsepower, Anemoi, CWS, Ayro, Dealfeng, Magnuss, BV, Blue wasp, RMI Maritime Administrator, IWSA, Azolla, Econowind, Wärtsilä, Wallenius Marine, Vale, C-Job, Bound4Blue and MTI Co. The project is open to additional participants. Please click here to see the most up-to-date list of participating organizations.
“With a well-tested and widely recognized methodology to quantify energy savings owners and operators will be able to make informed decisions as they evaluate alternative options in the future,” said Mr. Jaspal. “We are pleased to lend our technical expertise and regulatory experience to this project,” he concluded.
The project is scheduled to be completed in 2023.
