On the 17th, HD Hyundai announced that its intermediate holding company, HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering, successfully developed a wind sail, an eco-friendly device that moves ships using wind.
The day before, HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering demonstrated the stability and performance of the wind sail prototype through a land-based verification event in Changwon, Gyeongnam. The company plans to install it on an MR-class tanker operated by HMM in the second half of this year to verify its maritime performance.
The wind sail, which has a structure similar to that of an aircraft wing, is an auxiliary power system using lift generated by wind, making it an eco-friendly device that can reduce greenhouse gas intensity.
Greenhouse gas intensity is an index that indicates the amount of greenhouse gas emitted per unit of specific activities, such as production, transportation, and energy use, with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the European Union (EU) strengthening environmental regulations based on this.
The wind sail developed by HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering measures 30 meters in height and 10 meters in width, maximizing thrust by attaching auxiliary wings on both sides of the main wing. Additionally, a 'tilting' function has been applied, allowing the wings to fold in adverse weather conditions, enhancing navigation stability.
This verification was pursued through the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries' project 'Integrated Management Technology Development for Ship Emission Greenhouse Gases (GHG)' and aims for marine carbon reduction through eco-friendly technology and the advancement of smart ship technology.
The project was carried out by combining the policy support from the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and the Korea Maritime Institute of Science and Technology (KIMST), technical development from joint research institutions such as HMM, Korea Register (KR), and HD Hyundai Marine Solution, as well as the technical capabilities of local private companies like Oriental Precision & Engineering and Human Composite, participating in the 'Innovation Special Zone Support Project' in Busan.
An official from HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering said, "We expect that the success of this land-based verification and the upcoming sea trials scheduled for the second half of the year will bring us one step closer to commercializing the wind sail," and noted, "We will strengthen our eco-friendly ship technology capabilities further and lead the related market."