HD Hyundai Begins Sea Trials of 'Wind Propulsion' Wing Sail... Demonstration on 50,000-Ton Tanker

30-Meter Wind-Assisted Device Installed on HMM Tanker
Performance Measured on Actual Routes After Land Verification
'Fuel-Saving Equipment' in Focus Ahead of IMO Regulations

HD Hyundai has begun sea trials of its 'Wind Assisted Propulsion System (WAPS),' a device that supplements propulsion using wind power, by installing it on an actual vessel. This device can reduce both fuel consumption and carbon emissions, and the demonstration targets the market as environmental regulations on ships become stricter.

HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering, the intermediate holding company for HD Hyundai’s shipbuilding division, announced that it has installed a prototype of its independently developed 'Wing Sail' on a 50,000-ton class medium-sized oil tanker operated by HMM and has started sea trials. After verifying structural stability and basic performance on land, the device was mounted on an operational ship, and it recently completed both its trial run and inspection by the Korean Register (KR).

Sea trial image of the prototype 'Wingsail' independently developed by HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering. HD Hyundai

The Wing Sail is a large wing-shaped structure, approximately 30 meters high and 10 meters wide. It assists the vessel’s forward movement by harnessing wind power. HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering expanded the wind utilization area by attaching auxiliary wings on both sides of the main wing. Additionally, to reduce operational limitations when passing through high waves, ports, or under bridges, a 'tilting' structure was applied, allowing the wings to fold.

HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering plans to quantify improvements in fuel efficiency and reductions in carbon dioxide emissions based on data obtained from actual routes during these trials. Key analysis targets include thrust according to wind direction and speed, changes in operational resistance, and fuel consumption. These results will serve as reference values for further developing the Wing Sail into a commercial facility.

This project was conducted as part of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries’ 'Integrated Management Technology Development for Ship Greenhouse Gas (GHG)' initiative. HMM, the Korean Register (KR), and HD Hyundai Marine Solution participated, along with Busan-based equipment companies Oriental Precision & Engineering and Human Composites, which contributed to the development of structures and components.

With the International Maritime Organization (IMO) tightening carbon emission regulations, shipowners are expanding their focus to fuel-saving methods, in addition to engine modifications and fuel conversion. Wind assisted propulsion systems are being considered for their potential application not only in newbuilds but also in the retrofit market, as they can be installed on existing vessels.

A representative from HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering stated, "We are now in the stage of securing actual savings and operational data through sea trials," adding, "Based on this, we are verifying the feasibility of commercial application."