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Windship Technology Ltd., a consortium of five key players in the global shipping industry, is developing a sail power concept that could revolutionise the way tomorrow's vessels carry goods across the world's oceans, according to UK maritime classification society Lloyds Register.

The new concept, known as the Auxiliary Sail Propulsion System (ASPS), uses fixed wing sail technology whereby two 35 metre high masts installed on the deck of a vessel each have three aerodynamic wings fitted. The masts or rigs rotate automatically to exploit the power of the prevailing wind and, as the speeds and angles of the wind change, the system develops more power allowing reductions in engine power to be made in order to achieve the same speed and so maximise on fuel saving.

The consortium approached Lloyd’s Register to give an independent assessment of the ASPS. LR’s Technical Investigation Department (TID) then carried out CFD work on a Supramax bulk carrier in varying wind directions and speeds.

The results are said to have shown that ASPS has the potential to provide more than 50% of the required propulsive thrust a vessel needs depending on conditions. "In the right conditions this could save a typical bulk carrier 30% of its fuel costs on a voyage," LR said.

Hector Sewell, LR’s Head of Sales and Marketing, commented: "Should these results be reflected in actual operation of a real ship, the operational fuel savings will be very significant and will be of great interest to the owners and operators of suitable ships. We look forward to helping clients understand how such a system can help them."

The designer of the ASPS is the Hampshire UK based award-winning yacht designer, Simon Rogers. He said: "I am very excited by the new concept which is taking the very latest principles of sailing and applying them to modern ship design."