SIMIC

IN the pursuit of alternative technologies and fuels, Hapag-Lloyd is contemplating the construction of a newbuilding vessel with a capacity of 4,500 TEU, designed to be powered by wind, reports Athens' Safety4Sea.

Strategic assets projects director Christoph Thiem and regulatory affairs manager Martin Kopke discussed in an interview the concept of employing wind-assisted propulsion on containerships.



They delved into the associated challenges, the merits and drawbacks of such a system, and the potential applications.



Mr Thiem emphasised Hapag-Lloyd's longstanding commitment to research and development, highlighting the company's innovation in shipping over the past few decades.



The growing pressure to innovate has led to increased employee involvement in innovation-related matters, especially in exploring possibilities with alternative fuels.



Mr Thiem noted the evolving spectrum in the fuel sector, expanding beyond the efficient burning of fuel.



Hapag Lloyd acknowledges wind as the historical standard for propulsion in shipping before motorisation.



Mr Thiem mentioned the ongoing efforts at Hapag Lloyd to explore wind-assisted ship propulsion and the need to expand studies as the technology is not yet market-ready.



Discussing wind-powered containership concepts, Martin Kopke expressed the belief that Hapag Lloyd's designs appear more realistic compared to some futuristic concepts proposed by other shipping companies.



Mr Thiem provided insights into the potential newbuilding, describing a ship with a 4,500 TEU capacity and featuring eight sails with a total sail area of 3,000 square metres.



The sail system is designed to assist propulsion, especially at lower speeds, with the ship's engine being the primary source of propulsion.



Hapag-Lloyd, with a goal of achieving net zero by 2045, is actively exploring various fuels and alternative technologies on board ships.



While air cargo demand saw a slight dip in early December, rates for air cargo ex-Asia Pacific to North America and Europe remain significantly elevated, attributed to increased demand ex-China.



Fuel supply remains a significant obstacle, prompting the company to emphasize the importance of research and development in overcoming this challenge.