Wind Power: 'Trade Wings' Containership Design Gets BV AIP

May 17, 2021

Bureau Veritas has granted an  Approval in Principle (AIP) for Trade Wings 2,500, a design for a 197 x 32 m, 2500-TEU container ship designed jointly by VPLP Design, Alwena Shipping, SDARI, and AYRO. Image courtesy BV
Bureau Veritas has granted an Approval in Principle (AIP) for Trade Wings 2,500, a design for a 197 x 32 m, 2500-TEU container ship designed jointly by VPLP Design, Alwena Shipping, SDARI, and AYRO. Image courtesy BV
Image courtesy BV
Image courtesy BV

Bureau Veritas has granted approval in principle (AIP) for the Trade Wings 2,500 design, a wind- and LNG/electric-powered containership concept designed jointly by VPLP Design, Alwena Shipping, SDARI and AYRO.

As the maritime industry moves toward designs and technologies that minimize emissions, the 197- by 32-meter, 2,500-TEU Trade Winds ship design combines six Oceanwings wind-assisted propulsion sails with liquefied natural gas (LNG)-electric propulsion with pods. The wing sails are installed on a vertical sliding mechanism to retract them partially while the vessel is in port, minimizing the impact on cargo operations. The LNG storage tank is based on GTT’s Mark III containment system, and the LNG power plant is designed with pure gas four-strokes gensets only. This architecture is engineered to be flexible, offering the possibility of future upgrade to carbon-free fuels such as ammonia or hydrogen.

Designed to be suitable for short sea shipping operations or feedering in Europe, Central America, Caribbean and China, the Trade Wings 2,500 can also operate on transatlantic trades. The design minimizes time in port operations, as maneuverability is increased with the pods, and the hatch coverless design further speeds up cargo operations.

According to the designers, on a typical 4,000-nautical-mile transatlantic route, the Trade Wings 2,500 will save on average 35% CO2-equivalent emissions compared to a conventional design, with a two-stroke engine, single shaft and without wing sails, at the same speed. Out of these 35% savings, the Oceanwings accounts to 57%, the optimized LNG thermal propulsion delivering the remaining 43% savings, according to the designers.


Image courtesy BV

Logistics News

Zinus Chosen for Port of Skagen Shore Power

Zinus Chosen for Port of Skagen Shore Power

America’s Ports Responsible for One in Eight Jobs

America’s Ports Responsible for One in Eight Jobs

How Propane Can Help Ports Meet Emissions Goals

How Propane Can Help Ports Meet Emissions Goals

Stena Line and ABP tp Build Freight Ferry Terminal at Port of Immingham

Stena Line and ABP tp Build Freight Ferry Terminal at Port of Immingham

Subscribe for Maritime Logistics Professional E‑News

Italian navy ship with migrants shows up in Albania's port
FAA opens audit into runway incursion threats at 45 busiest US airports
Turkey seals position as Europe's top coal-fired power system: Maguire