WAPS technology needs reliable assurance: LR

A wide range of systems designed to harness the benefits of wind energy are supporting shipping’s energy efficiency drive, but there is a lack of standardisation for verifying fuel savings.

Recent analysis from the classification society notes that a range of wind-assisted propulsion systems (WAPS) applied to difference merchant vessels is close to ‘a tipping point’ and likely to increase rapidly. New emission regulations in Europe are likely to hasten the process.

The classification society’s Ship Performance Manager, Santiago Suarez de la Fuente, noted the accelerating pace of WAPS adoption. There were 29 installations between 2018 and 2023, and there are now 72 systems on order.

Meeting future demand is likely to prove a challenge, the LR report warns, with a number of developers supplying systems today. Only 16 shipyards have undertaken WAPS retrofits so far.

With more wind technology firms entering the fledgling market, WAPS technology is moving beyond prototype and pilot phases and lacks a robust standard for verifying fuel savings. Coordinating component lead times and equipment supply with scheduled ship maintenance presents a further challenge.  

LR’s analysis, ‘Applying wind-assisted propulsion to ships’, includes analysis of the current market, cost and compliance drivers, regulatory issues and technical challenges.

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