This milestone makes Anthony Veder the first company in the world to retrofit sails on a gas carrier. Later this year, the sister ship Coral Pearl will also be equipped with two similar sails, showcasing the company's commitment to enhancing sustainability in the maritime industry.
Björn van de Weerdhof, Commercial and Sustainability Director at Anthony Veder, states: “In our sustainable roadmap, we aim to become a net-zero emitter by 2035. This ambitious goal necessitates immediate action. While we focus on optimizing newbuild designs and operating them on (bio-) LNG, we are equally dedicated to improving the efficiency of our existing fleet. This retrofitting initiative allows us to reduce our carbon footprint right away. Wind-assisted propulsion plays a vital role in this strategy, and our partnership with Econowind underscores the strength of our collaborative efforts. We are also exploring additional solutions, such as optimizing propulsion trains and implementing joint actions with our customers, like reducing speeds through Just in Time arrivals and utilizing shore power.”
Rens Groot, Chief Operations Officer at Econowind, expresses pride in the swift execution of this project: “Anthony Veder conducted a comprehensive analysis before selecting the VentoFoils, including an advanced business case that balanced benefits with realistic costs. This analysis highlighted significant advantages, such as increased speed for gas carriers, where VentoFoils help compensate for engine power limitations. The tight timeline was made achievable by Anthony Veder’s experienced team in project execution and dry dockings. Their leadership in being the first to implement wind-assisted propulsion on a gas carrier is commendable. This vessel is expected to achieve substantial fuel savings and CO2 reductions with an attractive payback period.”
By retrofitting two ethylene carriers in its fleet with Econowind VentoFoils, Anthony Veder will harness wind energy to significantly lower fuel consumption. The system is designed to complement existing engines, providing an additional propulsion boost from wind power. Based on International Maritime Organization (IMO) wind conditions, the company anticipates fuel savings of around 5%, with the potential for more than 10% under optimal wind conditions. By reducing fuel consumption, Anthony Veder not only lowers energy costs but also significantly decreases greenhouse gas emissions.