Composite sails help shipping industry to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions
Carbon Emission Reduction Requirements for the Shipping Industry
Maritime trade accounts for about 80% of global trade volume, and maritime transport is the most important mode of transportation for global trade. Fuel takes up 35-40% of maritime transportation costs, and carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels make up about 3% of the global total. Therefore, how to reduce energy consumption not only concerns the reduction of maritime transportation costs, but also has a direct impact on carbon emissions.
In July 2023, the 80th session of the Maritime Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) reached an agreement to reduce carbon emissions by at least 20% and 70% by 2030 and 2040, respectively, and to reach zero emissions around 2050, based on the carbon emissions in 2008.
Retrofitting existing ships with "sail wings"
In response to the carbon reduction requirements of the shipping industry, difficulties has been addressed by using cleaner energy sources and improving the efficiency of fuel systems, but retrofitting older ships with fuel systems is costly and has limited impact.
An innovative solution to retrofit existing ships with giant special sail wings has emerged. In August 2023, the world's first cargo ship with sail wings departed from China to Brazil, starting a journey of decarbonization at sea.
Manufactured by Zhongfu Lianzhong using AOC Lillens resin combined with fiberglass, the new sail wing is 37.5 meters high and 20 meters wide when fully expanded.
Benefiting from the zero-emission, non-consumptive and highly predictable nature of wind energy, the use of the sail wings theoretically reduces the cargo ship's fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by up to 30% in average sailing mode.
AO
Zhongfu Lianzhong and AOC join forces for innovation
Sail wings are installed on the deck and need to maintain their strength while minimizing their self-weight, which is a perfect match for the high specific strength characteristics of composite materials. At the same time, considering the design height of the sail up to more than 30 meters, in order to ensure the consistency and stability of the product, and to reduce the pollution to the environment during its manufacture, vacuum infusion was chosen as the process.
In sail design, AOC sent its experienced technical team to communicate with the owner and the manufacturer Zhongfu Lianzhong for many times, and through the program comparison and selection, AOC classic Palatal® series vacuum infusion resin and Neogel® series high performance weathering gelcoat were chosen as the raw materials. During the process, AOC technical experts went to the production line several times to discuss the processing plan and optimize the process with the owner and Zhongfu Lianzhong, and finally delivered the project to the owner before the deadline.
