Feature, Freight News, Sea

Jumbo Equips Vessel with Econowind Sails

[ October 4, 2024   //   Gary G Burrows ]

Jumbo Maritime, the heavy-lift shipping and offshore transportation & installation contractor, has installed two Econowind mechanical sails on the Jumbo Jubilee –the first time that the Dutch manufacturer’s VentoFoils have been placed on a heavy-lift vessel.
Along with new anti-fouling measures on the Jumbo Jubiliee’s propellers, ongoing monitoring of the hull’s anti-fouling layers, and the eco-control upgrade to the propulsion system, Jumbo seeks to operate the vessel more efficiently while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Econowind’s eco-control system minimizes consumption at a set speed, while the sails generate additional thrust, reducing the burden on the main engines and further cutting fuel usage.
Econowind said the heavy-lift vessel market is a new sector for its VentoFoils. VentoFoils suction wings harness wind power in a revolutionary way that sets them apart from conventional rigid windsails. Econowind’s invention has been described as a vertical aircraft wing that converts wind into forward thrust of the ship. Internal fans reinforce the effect, thus making a significant difference to the consumption of fuel.
“At Jumbo, we believe that every step towards sustainability is crucial,” said Daan Koornneef, Jumbo CEO. “The installation of these mechanical sails on the Jumbo Jubilee is a testament to our commitment to decarbonization and innovation. While there’s always more work to be done, initiatives like this propel us closer to a greener maritime industry.”
The Jumbo Jubilee, built in 2009, is 13,017 deadweight tons with 8.1 meters of draft. The vessel is 144.8 meters long, with a beam of 26.8 meters and storage capacity of 18,130 cubic meters tweendeck and 3,100 cubic meters of deck space. It is equipped with two cranes of about 900 tonnes each, or 1,800 tonnes combined lift.