Addressing Industry Pain Points with Efficient Zero-Carbon Solution
Amid increasingly stringent global shipping emission regulations and the urgent need for low-carbon transformation, wind-assisted propulsion technology has emerged as a key choice for compliant operations and cost-efficiency, thanks to its immediate carbon reduction benefits and economic advantages. The newly unveiled WAPS, with a diameter of 5 meters and height of 35 meters, is the largest rotor sail system globally to have undergone land-based testing. Leveraging the classic Magnus effect, it efficiently captures wind energy during navigation, providing additional thrust to ships. On average, it can reduce fuel consumption by 5%-25% for large ocean-going vessels, correspondingly lowering carbon emissions. This helps shipowners meet regulatory requirements from the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS), while delivering outstanding environmental and economic benefits.
Overcoming Four Major Engineering Challenges for Systematic Integration Innovation
To tackle the R&D challenges of this "world's largest" system, the project team overcame a series of engineering hurdles, including the manufacturing of giant composite structures, vibration control of ultra-large systems, complex system integration, and intelligent collaborative control. Notably, the self-developed "two-piece vacuum infusion moulding" process offers superior production efficiency and cost advantages compared to international mainstream technologies, while ensuring high performance and lightweight design (total system weight ≤ 60 tons). The intelligent control system automatically optimizes operation based on real-time wind conditions and vessel status, ensuring both efficiency and safety. Test data shows that the system generates a maximum thrust exceeding 355 kN, achieving international leading performance metrics.
At the concurrent "Green Decarbonization Technology Seminar" and product launch event, leading international classification societies ABS, BV, CCS, and DNV issued certification certificates for the product on-site, laying the groundwork for its global large-scale application. Sunrui Environment also signed a cooperation agreement with Dalian Haineng to accelerate the commercialisation of this technology. The event brought together experts and representatives from the global shipping supply chain to discuss technological pathways and industrial collaboration for shipping decarbonization.
The successful development of this system enables Sunrui Environment to offer a comprehensive marine environmental protection product line covering "front-end energy conservation, mid-end fuel substitution, and end-of-pipe treatment." With the global wind-assisted propulsion market projected to reach approximately 7,000 installations by 2030, this launch underscores the innovative strength of Chinese enterprises in green shipping equipment and provides a practical solution for the sustainable development of the global shipping industry.
