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DNV issues AIP for AYRO’s wingsail propulsion system

Photo: AYRO AYRO wingsail.jpg
French company AYRO has been awarded an approval-in-principle (AIP) for its wind-assisted propulsion system for ships from classification society DNV.

AYRO’s Oceanwings 3.6.3 system is designed to enable shipowners and operators to leverage wind energy to improve the energy balance of individual vessels and fleets for them to reduce carbon emissions.

“The Oceanwings 3.6.3 are suitable for most types of cargo vessels. We continue to receive a lot of enquiries and numerous requests for feasibility studies from shipowners and charterers worldwide, for both retrofits and newbuilding projects,” said Ludovic Gerard, ceo of AYRO.

“Our mission and vision is to support them in designing their vessels as well as fitting and maintaining the Oceanwings in order to help them meet the challenges of competitiveness and GHG emissions reductions,” Gerard added.

The wind propulsion system is a 363 square metre 2-elements wingsail several of which can be installed onboard cargo vessels.

AYRO is now manufacturing four Oceanwings to be fitted on Canopee, a roro vessel under construction. This hybridisation system for the propulsion of ships is applicable for both newbuildings and in the retrofit of existing ships.

As incoming maritime regulations are ramping up, the pressure to improve sustainability and reduce emissions is increasing. The Oceanwings system enables the maritime stakeholders to significantly reduce their GHG emissions and improve their EEDI or EEXI efficiency index, as part of efforts to comply with the IMO 2030 GHG target.

Hasso Hoffmeister, senior principal engineer at DNV, commented: “National and international regulations, in addition to governmental, customer and public are all increasing pressure on the industry to decarbonise. An AIP can help build confidence in shipowners and operators by demonstrating that new technologies can not only help them improve sustainability, but follow well established, trusted and independent standards.”