Dutch shipping company family Switijnk has contracted C-Job Naval Architects to develop a Rotor Sail-equipped design to meet their specific loading and sailing profile.
The contract follows the presentation of the 4500 DWT Flettner Freighter design (the FF4500), which C-Job Naval Architects developed as part of the European Union Interreg project SAIL.
FF8000
Taking the project name of FF8000, the design will be for a dry cargo ship with 8000 t deadweight. Although based on the existing FF4500 design, the new design will include numerous modifications.
Norsepower, the Finnish company that markets Flettner rotors (also known as Rotor Sails), is involved in the initial stages. The company has performed accurate estimates of the FF8000’s sailing profile based on the positive test results from the existing car carrier MS Estraden.
The FF8000 is a 131-metre long vessel design for an 8000 DWT dry cargo ship. Together with a specially designed hull, Rotor Sails form a sustainable concept by which energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions are reduced. This form of “Hybrid Wind Assisted Shipping’ consists of vertical rotating cylinders that convert crosswinds into forward thrust by means of the “Magnus effect”.
Alternative Fuels
Despite the current low price of oil, Switijnk values the importance of thinking ahead and being innovative. Unlike the FF4500, alternative fuel options are being examined for the FF8000.
Director Stefan Switijnk: ‘Although still fossil-based, LNG could be a link in the current energy transition to more sustainable energy sources. We are also considering other alternatives such as biofuels.’
It is the first time that the combination of modern Rotor Sails, a C-Job optimised hull and alternative fuels has been applied to the commercial shipping market. The design can therefore be classified as very sustainable.
Switijnk is currently focusing its attention on finding partners to develop and finance this innovative ship. The company currently has two other ships in service.
