Diesel-Powered Nuclear Cargo Carrier Vessel Fitted With Wing Sail to Reduce Emissions
The 4,902 dwt cargo carrier PACIFIC GREBE, operated by Nuclear Transport Solutions (NTS), has been fitted with a retractable wing sail, allowing the vessel to tap into wind power for sailing. Sea trials for the vessel are intended to begin later this month.
The PACIFIC GREBE is a UK-flagged diesel-powered cargo vessel that is operated by NTS and is used for hauling nuclear fuel and waste. The vessel is 104 meters long and 18 meters wide. It has been recently retrofitted with an innovative wind propulsion system called the FastRig. The FastRig is a 20-meter wing sail that is designed by Smart Green Shipping (SGS) to harness wind power for propulsion. FastRig has been shown to reduce emissions by 30% in test cases.
The successful implementation of the FastRig aboard the PACIFIC GREBE is itself a testament to the high standards of the wing sail since the vessel is a specialist vessel carrying sensitive material such as nuclear cargo. Should the demonstration prove successful, it would greatly increase confidence among shipowners towards the effectiveness of wind-assisted technologies and pave the way for more widespread adoption.
The PACIFIC GREBE is now set to undergo sea trials, by which SGS would obtain real-world data on fuel savings and emissions reduction. The project is also a part of the Winds of Change, a two-year plan that is funded by the UK Department of Transport and aims to deliver real-world demonstrations on projects in green maritime solutions.
