Norsepower and NAPA join forces to maximize wind propulsion benefits using voyage optimization
New agreement between cleantech and maritime software leaders will use voyage optimization tools to help wind-assisted vessels in their voyage planning to boost fuel savings and emissions reductions.
Helsinki, Finland – 04 April 2022 – Norsepower Oy Ltd., the world-leading provider of auxiliary wind propulsion systems, has signed a formal agreement with NAPA, the global maritime software, services and data analysis expert, to offer weather routing software in combination with its Rotor Sails solution.
Under the agreement, NAPA Voyage Optimization software will be included as an option in all future sales of Norsepower’s Rotor Sails solution. The combined offer, which applies to retrofits as well as newbuilds, will enable shipowners to maximize both fuel savings and emissions reductions. The combination of voyage optimization and wind propulsion provides significant potential for increased performance compared to either of the two technologies alone. The software determines the best possible voyage plan for the vessel to maximize the energy savings, taking into account weather conditions throughout the voyage as well as each ship’s design profile and operational requirements.
Photo by Sea-Cargo
The Norsepower Rotor Sail Solution is a modernized version of the Flettner rotor, a spinning cylinder that uses the Magnus effect to harness wind power and generate thrust – reducing fuel consumption and emissions by an average of between 10-25%. The solution has so far been installed on six different vessels, with further orders confirmed with CLdN, the logistics specialist for road, sea and rail.
NAPA Voyage Optimization solution enables captains and ship managers to choose the routes that will minimize their fuel consumption and emissions, depending on the weather conditions. Importantly, the suggested routes are tailored to the designs and characteristics of each ship, using vessel-specific digital models to assess and predict performance under different conditions. This will ensure Norsepower’s Rotor Sails system is specifically considered in the ship performance models to deliver optimal routing.
Tuomas Riski, CEO of Norsepower, commented on the partnership: “Our Rotor Sails already offer fuel and associated emissions savings of up to 25%. However, savings can be significantly enhanced when used alongside weather routing software. Given the magnitude of the energy transition challenge, combining commercially-proven solutions enables shipowners to take the next step to not only meeting regulatory targets, but exceeding them. Vessels using the solutions available today will be able to decarbonize faster. It will also help shipowners achieve greater climate alignment compliance scores, including the IMO’s Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) as well as supporting the ship finance portfolios that are influenced by the requirements of directives such as the Poseidon Principles and Sea Cargo charter clauses. We are proud to partner with NAPA to enhance our offer to our clients with this turnkey solution that will help them achieve optimal results from our well-established Rotor Sails.”
Pekka Pakkanen, Executive Vice President at NAPA Shipping Solutions, added: “Advanced weather routing is essential for all ships, but it is particularly important for wind-assisted vessels. Now that wind propulsion solutions are becoming a reality for a growing number of ocean-going vessels, we are taking this to the next level with voyage optimization software which can fully model various cleantech solutions in all weather conditions, taking into account design data for each individual vessel. This is made possible by our decades of expertise in naval architecture and vessel performance monitoring. We are delighted to collaborate with Norsepower to help more companies around the globe achieve their sustainability ambitions with this powerful combination of technologies.
About Norsepower
Norsepower Oy Ltd is a Finnish clean technology and engineering company pioneering modern auxiliary wind propulsion for the global maritime industry. Norsepower’s Rotor Sail Solution is a proven, low-maintenance, easy to use, and reliable fuel saving technology, supporting the decarbonization of the shipping industry.
Since its establishment in 2012, Norsepower has generated more than €20 million of funding and has now installed Rotor Sails onboard six vessels, including the latest installation on the Sea Zhoushan. Each installation has made significant reductions to fuel costs and emissions, confirmed by independent verifiers such as ABB, NAPA and Lloyd’s Register. Other shipowners, charterers, and shipyards have been convinced of Rotor Sail technology’s benefits and are taking steps to study the technical and economic feasibility of wind propulsion on their fleet based on these positive results.
For more information on the Norsepower Rotor Sail Solution, please visit www.norsepower.com.
About NAPA
In its over 30 years of operation, NAPA has become a global leader in developing and scaling software, services and data analysis for a safer, smarter, and more sustainable
maritime industry.
NAPA operates globally, with 190 employees in eleven countries in Europe, Asia and the Americas, and has a turnover of more than €23.8m. To date, NAPA has 420 user organizations for its design solutions, nearly 3,000 installations onboard vessels, and a growing number of subscribers for its cloud-based fleet services.
For more information, visit www.napa.fi.
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BLUE Communications
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