WASP project launched

The Wind Assisted Ship Propulsion (WASP) project has recently been officially approved and launched. This project brings together universities, wind-assist technology providers with ship owners to research, trial and validate the operational performance of a selection of wind propulsion solutions. SSPA is one of the expert partners that will test wind propulsion systems on different types of vessels, routes and sea conditions. WASP is funded by the Interreg North Sea Europe programme, as part of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

The transition to decarbonised shipping is one of the greatest maritime challenge of our time and the demand for low carbon solutions is growing. Direct wind propulsion along with secondary renewables: wind-sourced ammonia, hydrogen and other fuels and batteries, are all pieces in this decarbonisation puzzle. The high potential for wind energy in North Sea region and innovative, automated wind propulsion technologies such as rotors sails, suction wings and rigid sails can contribute to making wind solutions more commercially attractive for the future. 

The WASP project can help to accelerate this decarbonisation transition by giving the market and policy makers clear indicators on operational parameters, fuel savings, business models and a collection of additional demonstrator vessels to highlight the wind-assisting propulsion potential.

- “SSPA will evaluate the performance in full scale of the wind propulsion systems installed on 5 vessels, develop performance indicators, and describe ship owners' expectations and experiences of operational performances, cost and risks related to wind assistance”, says Sofia Werner, Manager Strategic Research Hydrodynamics at SSPA.

Read more at the project web: northsearegion.eu/wasp

 
Photo from the kick-off meeting with project partners on September 30, in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.