ARE SAIL ASSISTED TANKERS FEASIBLE?

Nippon Kokan(NKK) predicts it will have the world's first sail-assisted tanker in operation within a few years. To this end, the Japan Marine Machinery Development Association has given NKK U.S. $60,000 to perform feasibility studies, including refitting of the 3,200-on tanker Aitaku Maru with a pair of sails as the first computer-age sail-equipped tanker in service. Feasibility studies completed by MKK thus far include sea tests with the 77-ton Daioh, equipped with three types of sails. The Daioh research, also sponsored by Japan Marine Machinery Development Association, is aimed at developing sail-equipped motor ships. Auxiliary sails have resulted in fuel savings of more than 10 percent, NKK reports. Basic data for developing sail-equipped motor ships was collected via wind tunnel and onshore experiments, with sea trials carried out in May-July 1979 with the test ship and all three types of sails. According to test data, fair winds of up to 32 mph from a 90-degree heading would permit the crew to cut engines on a 20,000-dwt ship and maintain a 15-knot speed--or with propulsion equivalent to 7,480 hp on a conventional ship. The article also contains an outline of the research program, including the feasibility study and findings. Five separate tables: provide information on sail design, power gain/loss, and the economics of the advantages and disadvantages of the design.

• Corporate Authors:

  Gulf Publishing Company

  Box 2608
  Houston, TX  United States  77001
• Publication Date: 1980-2

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 103
• Serial:
  • Ocean Industry
  • Volume: 15
  • Issue Number: 2
  • Publisher: Gulf Publishing Company

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bulk carriers; Fuel conservation; Performance; Propulsion; Sailing ships; Ship trials; Ships; Vehicle power plants; Wind tunnels
• Old TRIS Terms: Propulsion plant analysis; Propulsive performance
• Subject Areas: Energy; Marine Transportation; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00309437
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Apr 22 1980 12:00AM