Japanese trio to jointly develop rigid sails for better fuel efficiency

Japan-based shipbuilders Tsuneishi Shipbuilding and Mitsui E&S Shipbuilding along with Akishima Laboratories will develop rigid sails for commercial use on ships.

PHOTO: Illustration of the rigid sails. Tsuneishi Shipbuilding

Rigid sail, also known as solid sail or wing sail, is a type of sail technology used on ships to harness wind energy for propulsion. It generates propulsive force and saves energy using offshore wind as natural energy.

The use of rigid sails can reduce a vessel's fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, shipping companies claim.

As a part of this collaboration, Tsuneishi Shipbuilding will design and manufacture the equipment, the shipbuilder said.

Mitsui E&S Shipbuilding will focus on the control system and sail shape, while the company's research arm Akishima Laboratories will evaluate the equipment’s performance.

The Japanese trio plans to install the rigid sail on a vessel in 2026 and commercialise it in 2027. It can be installed on existing vessels with minimal modification, Tsuneishi Shipbuilding said.

Earlier this month, UK-based tanker operator Union Maritime said it will install rigid sails on 34 of its newbuild vessels.

By Aparupa Mazumder 

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