Becker Marine Systems has announced it is joining the International Windship Association (IWSA) to help bring its WingSail project online.
"In line with the demands of modern shipping, we have combined highly efficient aerodynamics with a user-friendly smart control system and a low-maintenance structure for safe and reliable sailing," states Mr. Henning Kuhlmann, Managing Director of Becker. "To make sure our products disrupt the market, not ship operations, we took special care to develop folding solutions in conjunction with the sails."
This design feature ensures that carrying the wings will not prevent the ship from entering air draft restricted areas or disturb loading operations. Becker Marine is teaming up with a network of partners. "We are looking forward to facing future challenges – and to offer the complete WingSail-ecosystem ranging from sails, anti-drift devices, weather routing, system-engineering and integration to operational training," added Mr Kuhlmann.
Becker Marine is now searching for prototype application projects, after having finalised thorough CFD-investigations, structural studies and demonstrator designs.