UK’s First Rigid Sail to be Tested on Nuclear…

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(Commonwealth_ In a groundbreaking collaboration, the UK is testing a new wind-assisted propulsion technology on a ship designed to transport spent nuclear fuel. The UK government‘s vessel, Pacific Grebe (4,900 dwt), arrived in Southampton on October 21 with a unique installation of the FastRig, a retractable, rigid wing sail by UK company Smart Green Shipping (SGS). This trial marks the first real-world application of this technology on a nuclear transport vessel.

Built in 2010, the Pacific Grebe is one of three ships specifically designed to transport nuclear materials. Measuring 341 feet (104 meters), it is equipped with four specially shielded holds capable of carrying up to 20 flasks of nuclear waste. Nuclear Transport Solutions (NTS), a division of the UK’s Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, operates the ship and is responsible for managing and cleaning up the country’s nuclear legacy. On its long voyages, Pacific Grebe can travel over 10,000 miles without stopping, reaching speeds of up to 14 knots.

In preparation for the trial, the ship left its home port of Barrow-in-Furness to run sea trials this month. The ship installed the FastRig, a rigid wing sail measuring 20 meters (65 feet) and entirely composed of recyclable materials, prior to the trials. The wing sail is part of a collaborative testing initiative between Smart Green Shipping and the University of Southampton, which is providing data analysis and performance verification during the trials.

The FastRig is designed to significantly reduce fuel consumption. According to SGS, the innovative rigid wing sail could potentially cut fuel usage by up to 30 percent. An intelligent, autonomous control system equips the system, simplifying its operation and requiring minimal deck space. Additionally, the FastRig is retractable, which allows the ship to dock and conduct port operations smoothly without hindrance from the sail.

Diane Gilpin, CEO of Smart Green Shipping, highlighted the significance of the trials: “NTS is allowing SGS to undertake formal sea trials, which gives us accurate, independently verified performance data against which we can corroborate the digital models and tank testing results the University of Southampton have been developing.” This collaboration is crucial for the development of wind-assisted propulsion in shipping, with the potential to significantly improve the industry’s sustainability.

The Pacific Grebe’s sea voyage to Southampton served as the first test of the FastRig system. During this trip, SGS demonstrated the retractable nature of the wing sail and how it operates in various weather conditions. The automated technology uses specialist sensors that allow the system to deploy and retract the sail as necessary to maximize fuel efficiency and ensure safety. Adjustability is one of the main reasons this technology could change the shipping industry.

While the trial is still in its early stages, the FastRig’s potential to reduce emissions and fuel usage has sparked optimism within the industry. Pete Buchan, NTS’s Managing Director of Shipping, expressed enthusiasm for the project, stating, “While this is still a trial at this stage, it’s the first real-world application of this wing and could change the way all ships sail, drastically reducing emissions and fuel usage across the industry. We’re really proud of the role we’ve had in this project and can’t wait to see the final results of the trial.”

This trial is part of a growing trend within the shipping industry, as more companies look to wind-assisted propulsion to enhance sustainability and reduce their environmental impact. Wind-assisted technology is gaining traction as shipping companies face increasing pressure to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Smart Green Shipping has also secured $2.6 million in additional funding from Drax, a UK-based renewable energy company, along with a matching grant from the UK’s Clean Maritime competition. This funding will support further development and refinement of the FastRig technology, as well as additional trials on other ships.

The success of this trial could pave the way for wider adoption of wind-assisted propulsion across the shipping industry, offering a promising solution for reducing emissions and fuel consumption. As shipping companies continue to explore innovative technologies, the collaboration between NTS, Smart Green Shipping, and the University of Southampton demonstrates the potential of sustainable solutions to address the environmental challenges facing global maritime operations.

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