Cargill
Cargill has announced exciting findings from the six-month trial of the Pyxis Ocean, the first wind-powered vessel, showcasing significant fuel savings and confirming the shipping industry’s shift towards greener practices.
Equipped with two WindWings®, large solid sails developed by BAR Technologies, the Pyxis Ocean vessel demonstrated performance in line with expectations, translating to an average fuel reduction of 3 tonnes per day.
Since its launch in August 2023, the Pyxis Ocean has traversed various oceans, including the Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean, and North and South Atlantic, and navigated challenging routes such as Cape Horn and the Cape of Good Hope. The installation of the 37.5-meter tall WindWings® has facilitated propulsion by harnessing wind energy, enabling the vessel to maintain speed while reducing reliance on traditional fuel consumption. Controlled via a user-friendly touch panel on the bridge, the sails feature automated adjustment systems, optimizing their configuration based on real-time wind measurements.
Wind-assisted propulsion holds promise as a cost-effective solution aligned with the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) greenhouse gas reduction strategy. With IMO’s 2030 targets aiming for a significant portion of energy to be sourced from low-carbon alternatives, wind-assisted propulsion emerges as a viable pathway towards meeting these ambitious goals.
“We are encouraged by the results and have learned a great deal about implementing wind assisted propulsion on dry bulk vessels,” said Jan Dieleman, president of Cargill’s Ocean Transportation business. “We could never have done this alone – BAR Technologies and MC Shipping and have been fantastic partners in making the Pyxis Ocean a reality as well as the captain and crew. We are on the leading edge of change in the shipping industry and believe technologies that harness the wind could be an important, cost-effective way to achieve our decarbonization goals in the short, medium and long-term.”
source Cargill
