TSUNEISHI SHIPBUILDING announces that it commercialises the Rigid Sail as a new device for energy-saving in cooperation with Mitsui E&S Shipbuilding and Akishima Laboratories (Mitsui Zosen) Inc. The Rigid Sail has wing-shape sail that keeps the shape even in wind. It is auxiliary propulsion devices that generates propulsive force and saves energy using offshore wind as natural energy.
This Rigid Sail can be installed on existing vessels with minimal modification. To aim at realisation of retractable Rigid Sail, shape, arrangement and control system of the Rigid Sail are studied and designed. Our group plans to install it on an actual vessel in 2026 and commercialise it in 2027.
TSUNEISHI SHIPBUILDING will coordinate the entire development project and design and manufacture the equipment, Mitsui E&S Shipbuilding will study the control system and sail shape, and Akishima Laboratories will carry out performance evaluation using fluid analysis (CFD analysis) and other methods on the developed Rigid Sail.
The TSUNEISHI Group will continue to contribute to further GHG reductions through energy savings and improved hull performance by utilising the research, development and experimental functions of the grouped Akishima Laboratory, including this project.