Scandlines aims to boost energy efficiency with another rotor sail installation

A 30-metre tall rotor sail was installed on Scandlines' hybrid ferry Berlin to harnesses wind energy and improve the vessel's energy efficiency.

PHOTO: Scandlines hybrid ferry with Norsepower rotor sails installed. Scandlines

The rotor sail was installed by Norsepower. It says that during favourable wind conditions the rotor sails will allow the vessel's main engine to throttle back and save fuel emissions while providing enough power to maintain speed.  

A rotor sail is a modern version of flettner rotor that is based on the Magnus effect ,which creates air pressure to cause spinning.

When the wind reaches the spinning rotor sails, the airflow increases on one side of the rotor sails and reduces on the opposite side, the change in speed results in pressure difference that creates a lift force that is perpendicular to the wind flow direction.

The technology is ideal when wind speeds are above 35 knots and is perpendicular to the sail, says Scandlines.

Norsepower claims its rotor sails can typically produce 5-20% in fuel savings and cut emissions by up to 20%. The fuel savings are verified through various third-party measurement campaigns, it said

Scandlines now operates two hybrid ferries with Norsepower rotor sails, with the first one installed in 2020. The ferries operate between Germany’s Rostock to Denmark’s Gedser, which it considers an optimal route for using rotor sails.

“After positive experiences with the Rotor Sail on the Scandlines hybrid ferry Copenhagen, Scandlines had prepared the sister ferry Berlin for a Rotor Sail as well,” said Scandlines chief operating officer Michael Guldmann Petersen.

The rotor sail system can be installed vessels of all sizes, including tankers, cruise ships and cargo vessels, Norsepower says.

The installation process for the Berlin was completed in a few hours in the port of Rostock, says Norsepower.