A sail that can be mounted on ships’ cargo handling cranes and similar equipment to boost propulsion force. This device, to be named the Iknow Delta Sail Crane, is being developed by Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL), MOL Drybulk, Oshima Shipbuilding, and Iknow Machinery.
The joint R&D project aims at reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from vessels while underway, by unfurling the sail placed on the ship’s cranes. In this way, the triangular parts of existing cargo handling cranes are used to harness wind power and provide additional propulsion force.
Many MOL Drybulk-operated vessels are equipped with cargo handling cranes, and the company plans to study the installation of the Delta Sail on a broad range of ship types, such as bulkers, wood chip carriers, and multi-purpose vessels.
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