The shipping company Berge Bulk, which specializes in bulk carriers, is pushing ahead with its decarbonization strategy. As part of this, the “Berge Olympus” is being retrofitted with wind wings.
The Newcastlemax bulker will be equipped with four Bar-Tech WindWings from Yara Marine Technologies. According to the owner, this makes the “Berge Olympus” the most powerful sailing cargo ship in the world.
With four installed WindWings, each with a height of 37.5 m and a width of 20 m, the “Berge Olympus” will save six tons of fuel per day on an average worldwide route, the shipping company reports. The reduction in CO2 is expected to be around 19.5 tons per day. In view of these fuel and CO2 savings, Berge Bulk is examining the possibility of installing WindWings on other ships operating on routes with favorable wind conditions.
“Berge Olympus” as an innovative pioneer
Berge Bulk’s WindWings project demonstrates the company’s commitment to paving the way to a carbon-free future while improving the efficiency of its vessels. This initiative is in line with the IMO’s new targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from international shipping to zero by 2050 or close to it, as well as the indicative targets for international shipping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to zero by 2030 (by at least 20%, with a target of 30%) and 2040 (by at least 70%, with a target of 80%). Berge Bulk’s WindWings project contributes to this goal and reflects the company’s commitment to environmental sustainability and technological progress.
“At Berge Bulk, we are constantly striving to increase our efficiency and reduce the environmental impact of our existing fleet. From 2008 to today, we have achieved a remarkable 46% reduction in our CO2 emissions per tonne-mile, already exceeding the IMO’s 2030 carbon emissions reduction target,” says James Marshall, CEO of Berge Bulk, “There is still so much to do if we are to accelerate the transition to new fuels in the zero-carbon future. That’s why we are proud to be pioneering this WindWing system with BAR Technologies and Yara Marine Technologies. ‘Berge Olympus’ is a testament to innovation and sustainability.”
