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WASP Sets Sail on its 3-Year Voyage
The WASP (Wind Assisted Ship Propulsion) project, funded by the
Interreg North Sea Europe program, part of the European Regional
Development Fund (ERDF) to the tune of €3.4 million has been
officially approved and launched.
The project brings together universities, wind-assist technology
providers with ship owners to research, trial and validate the
operational performance of a selection of wind propulsion
solutions thus enabling wind propulsion technology market
penetration and contributing to a greener North Sea transport
system through harvesting the regions abundant wind potential.
This fully aligns with the wider programs' objective of promoting
the development and adoption of products, services and processes
to accelerate the greening of the North Sea Region
Danitsja van Heusden-van Winden, Netherlands Maritime Technology
Foundation and WASP project lead beneficiary said: "We're
delighted to be able to commence the WASP project and we are
thrilled or looking forward to being able to test the wind
propulsion systems on different types of vessels, routes and sea
conditions throughout the project duration thanks to Interreg's
support and the efforts of all the project partners."
The project shipping partners include Scandlines Gedser-Rostock,
Boeckmans Ship Management and Van Dam Shipping along with two
additional partners to be added shortly.
Wind propulsion, shipping logistics and innovation experts will
be monitoring and evaluating operations and developing pathways
and applications to tackle the regulatory and business-related
issues that are often major barriers to the uptake of new
technologies.
This expertise is drawn from Chalmers University of Technology,
Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Kühne Logistics University, the
Danish Ecocouncil, Nord University, SSPA, the European Federation
for Transport and Environment, HHX.blue and supported by the
International Windship Association and the Netherlands Maritime
Technology Foundation.
The transition to decarbonised shipping is the greatest maritime
challenge of our time and demand for low carbon solutions is
growing. Direct wind propulsion along with secondary renewables:
wind-sourced ammonia, hydrogen and other fuels and batteries, are
all pieces in this decarbonisation puzzle.
The high potential for wind energy in North Sea region and
innovative, automated wind propulsion technologies such as rotors
sails, suction wings and rigid sails can directly harvest this
resource and contribute significantly at a time of rising fuel
prices, market instability, emission reduction directives, carbon
pricing, a tightening regulatory and policy environment. All are
making wind solutions more commercially attractive for the
future.
Oct 30, 2019
