Hyundai Heavy Industry’s (HHI’s) latest rotor sail technology ‘Hi-Rotor’, which has proven fuel savings of 6-8 per cent, has received design approval from the Korean Register (KR).
Rotor sails are cylindrical structures installed on ships’ decks that reduce fuel consumption and carbon emissions by generating additional propulsion using wind. HHI’s ‘Hi-Rotor’ features the ‘Magnus Effect’, using the pressure differences around the rotor sail to generate propulsion. However, it significantly differs in enhanced stability of the drive system, compared to other products, by applying the reduction gear method to the driving part that connects the electric motor and the rotor.
HHI is planning to complete the production in the second half of this year, and is concentrating on preparing for a feasibility test, as well as discussing the future commercialisation of the system with major shipowners.
Yeon-tae Kim, executive vice president of KR technical division, said: “We hope that this design approval will enhance HHI’s competitiveness in the rotor sail technology market, and we will continue to enhance our compliance with stringent environmental regulations.”
Won-ho Joo, HHI senior executive vice president & chief technical officer said: “We are continuously contributing to strengthening the competitiveness of our customers by concentrating our capabilities on the development of various eco-friendly products to not only improve the fuel efficiency of ships but also to respond to stringent environmental regulations.”
