Japanese trading house Orix Corporation and Sumitomo Heavy Industries Marine & Engineering (SHI-ME) have announced a collaborative feasibility study aimed at exploring the use of wind power to enhance energy efficiency on one of ORIX’s bulk carriers.

The project will focus on the installation of a wing-shaped soft sail, designed by North Sails Japan (NSJ), on the vessel’s derrick post. The innovative soft sail, constructed from advanced polyethylene fibre fabric, stands 8 meters high and 13.2 meters wide. Its design allows for the adjustment of its attack angle in response to wind direction, harnessing wind energy to supplement the ship’s propulsion. This auxiliary power is expected to reduce the consumption of heavy fuel oil and contribute to a decrease in CO2 emissions.

SHI-ME and NSJ will oversee the design and implementation of the wind-assisted propulsion system, including the soft sail, while also analyzing operational data collected during the trial. ORIX will manage the installation and be responsible for measuring fuel efficiency in real-world conditions. The energy-saving impact will be estimated based on theoretical models and actual data gathered during the study.