HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering Completes Onshore Demonstration of Wing Sail
Wind-Powered Auxiliary Propulsion System Utilizing Lift
Securing Technology to Meet Carbon Emission Regulations
HD Hyundai has succeeded in developing the country's first wind-powered auxiliary propulsion device for ships, known as the "Wing Sail." As pressure to reduce greenhouse gas emissions increases in the shipping and shipbuilding industries, there is growing interest in whether this device can serve as a regulatory compliance tool, with attention focused on the results of its real-world application in the second half of this year.
HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering, the intermediate holding company for HD Hyundai's shipbuilding division, announced on the 17th that it conducted an onshore demonstration of a prototype Wing Sail in Changwon, Gyeongsangnam-do, on the previous day, the 16th. The device features a structure similar to an airplane wing and assists ship propulsion by utilizing lift generated by the wind.
HD Hyundai Heavy Industries announced on the 17th that it held an onshore demonstration event for a prototype wing sail it developed in Changwon, Gyeongsangnam-do, on the 16th. HD Hyundai
This demonstration confirmed the device's stability and performance. In the second half of this year, the Wing Sail will be installed on an MR-class tanker operated by HMM to verify its performance in actual operating conditions. The Wing Sail measures 30 meters in height and 10 meters in width, with additional auxiliary wings to enhance propulsion. It is also equipped with a "tilting" function that automatically folds the device in adverse weather conditions.
This development is part of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries' project for "Integrated Management Technology for Ship Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions," with joint participation from HD Hyundai Marine Solution, Korean Register (KR), HMM, and local equipment companies. The shipbuilding industry views technologies like the Wing Sail, which can reduce fuel consumption, as a viable means of responding to the increasingly stringent greenhouse gas regulations being phased in by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the European Union (EU).
A representative from HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering stated, "With the success of this onshore demonstration and the planned real-world demonstration in the second half of the year, we expect to take another step closer to commercializing the Wing Sail," adding, "We will further strengthen our eco-friendly ship technology and lead the related market."
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