News has been announced by Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd that the company has started demonstration tests on a new energy saving windshield for containerships, which has the potential to reduce wind resistance, save fuel, and reduce CO2 emissions. MOL jointly developed the device with MOL Techno-Trade, Ltd.
The new energy saving windshield was installed on the bow of the MOL operated containership MOL MARVEL. A demonstration test of its effectiveness in reducing CO2 emissions is under way.
With today’s larger containerships, the height of the containers loaded on their decks has increased, subjecting the vessels to greater wind resistance. MOL recognised the need to address this issue in a cost effective way. Development of the new device began with an examination of the bow’s aerodynamic form through wind tunnel testing. This led to the adoption of a horseshoe shaped design, which encloses the front line of the stacked containers to maximize the wind resistance reducing effect while minimizing the weight of the main unit. The new windshield has enough design strength to meet the ClassNK rules concerning wave impact pressure. In addition, by obliquely setting the containers placed along the sides of the vessel behind the windshield, the sides of the vessel will be more streamlined, further reducing wind resistance.
With those measures, MOL expects an annual average reduction of 2% in CO2 emissions, assuming the device is mounted on a 6,700 TEU containership plying the North Pacific Ocean route at speed of 17 knots. The new energy saving windshield is also expected to protect ships from green water on the bow deck when sailing in bad weather.
To realise the goal of ‘solid growth through innovative changes stated in the midterm management plan STEER FOR 2020, the MOL Group has worked to develop next generation vessel concepts to reduce environmental impact through the Senpaku ISHIN project. The MOL Group’s ongoing efforts to develop and refine various environmental technologies contribute to environmental protection by reducing CO2 emissions from vessels.
