The German shipping company Hapag-Lloyd is planning newbuildings with sail propulsion. A design study for a 4,500 TEU newbuild is already available.
The Hamburg-based shipping company has presented a newbuilding concept for a ship with a capacity of 4,500 TEU, which is to have eight sails with a total area of 2,850 m². [ds_preview]
It is still a concept study and not a concrete project. However, Hapag-Lloyd announced that the preliminary investigations are to be completed shortly. Wind drives could help to further reduce emissions in the fleet, it is said.
Sails can be retracted and extended
Initial drafts envisage a 261 m long and 43.5 m wide freighter with eight retractable and extendable sail systems. The aim is not to hinder loading and unloading operations in the port, to protect the sails from damage and to enable bridge passages.
The main propulsion is to be provided by dual-fuel engines that could use methanol as fuel. Among others, the Technolog design office, sail manufacturer Ayro and the Malizia yacht team are involved in the project.
Up to now, investment in wind propulsion has mainly focused on bulk carriers, which offer more space on deck.
