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MOL has started to demo a new windshield for containerships that has the potential to reduce wind resistance, save fuel, and reduce CO2 emissions, according to a company statement.
The new windshield was installed on the bow of the MOL MARVEL, and a test of its effectiveness in reducing CO2 emissions is underway.
Jointly developed with MOL Techno-Trade, Ouchi Ocean Consultant, Akishima Laboratory, and the University of Tokyo. The project was backed by the "Joint R&D for Industry Program," the statement said, in which Nippon Kaiji Kyokai promotes wide-ranging R&D activities in cooperation with industry, government and academia.
The height of the containers loaded on the decks of big container ships has increased, causing vessels to be subjected to greater wind resistance. MOL said development of the new device began with an examination of the bow's aerodynamic form through wind tunnel testing. This led to the adoption of a horseshoe-shaped design, which encloses the front line of the stacked containers to maximize the wind resistance-reducing effect while minimizing the weight of the main unit.
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The new windshield has enough design strength to meet the ClassNK rules concerning wave impact pressure, according to the statement. In addition, by obliquely setting the containers placed along the sides of the vessel behind the windshield, the sides of the vessel will be more streamlined, further reducing wind resistance.
With those measures, MOL expects an annual average reduction of 2 percent in CO2 emissions, assuming the device is mounted on a 6,700 TEU containership plying the North Pacific Ocean route at speed of 17 knots. The new windshield is also expected to protect ships from green water on the bow deck when sailing in bad weather.
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