Jumbo installs wind assisted propulsion to Jumbo Jubilee in latest decarbonisation move

07 October 2024

Jumbo installs wind assisted propulsion to Jumbo Jubilee in latest decarbonisation move

Jumbo is committed to advancing sustainable heavy-lift shipping with innovative energy-saving and decarbonisation initiatives across its fleet, says Jumbo CEO Daan Koornneef. 

“At Jumbo, we believe that every step towards sustainability is crucial. The installation of these mechanical sails on Jumbo Jubilee is a testament to our commitment to decarbonise and innovate. While there’s always more work to be done, initiatives like this propel us closer to a greener maritime industry. We’re proud of our team’s continued efforts in making Jumbo a leader in sustainable shipping.” 

Unique approach

The company’s approach is to apply multiple fuel-saving solutions to a single vessel, thereby making possible the measurement of each technology’s contribution to the overall picture.

Examples already applied to Jumbo Jubilee include an efficiency boosting propeller coating, AI powered anti-fouling monitoring system and an eco-control system. This latest move, the installation of two Econowind ventofoils, will assess the impact of WASP on the vessel’s efficiency.

Pictures: Barry ten Brinke

Winds of change

Jumbo Technical Manager Andres Casanova explains, “While not fully optimised for our vessel type, these sails will help us to gather valuable insights on real-world fuel savings and explore further optimisations that will allow Jumbo to reduce its environmental footprint even more.”

The relatively small footprint of the sails makes them an ideal solution for installation on a heavy lift vessel, where space is required for project cargoes. Additionally, the sails are flexibly mounted on a customised frame engineered in-house by Jumbo structural engineer Estelle Bongers. With this, the sails can be moved, or even transferred to another vessel should additional space be required for cargo. 

AI powered anti-fouling monitoring

The installation of the ventofoils follows application of an anti-fouling coating on the ship’s propeller to maintain efficiency, as well as the introduction of an AI powered anti-fouling hull coating monitoring system. 

This innovative system captures a wide range of date including vessel speed, geographical position, as well as sea water temperature and other environmental conditions and parameters. This allows the system to make predictions and provide notifications when there is a risk of accelerated fouling. 

This means that Jumbo can perform an inspection and undertake maintenance in advance of a decrease in fuel efficiency. It also means the system can be maintained using less aggressive methods, ensuring its preservation for longer durations between dockings. 

Intelligent cruise control 

A further measure is the installation of an eco-control system to the vessel. “This can be viewed as a type of intelligent cruise control,” explains Andres. “It allows us to set a fuel consumption or maximum speed limit. With this, the eco-control system takes over and, based on RPM and propeller pitch, is continually adjusting to ensure optimally efficient performance, minimal fuel consumption and emissions.”

Sustainability from desk to deck

With these significant technologies installed to the Jumbo Jubilee, Jumbo expects to achieve fuel savings. A crucial factor in this, says Technical Superintendent Patrick Feddes, is collaboration. “If you want to reduce your environmental footprint, it’s not only down to one part of the company. It’s a team effort between those on board the ships and those on shore. The technologies play an important supporting role in creating energy savings, but a significant factor is awareness and cooperation throughout the various departments of the organisation.” 

Casanova: “It’s the years of technical expertise, in-house engineering and strong teamwork that drive sustainable innovation from desk to deck.”

About JSI Alliance

JSI Alliance stands for sea logistics of all types of heavy lift, break bulk and project cargo in any market. Side by side, three of the most prominent and technically advanced break bulk and heavy lift carriers, Jumbo Shipping, SAL Heavy Lift and Intermarine, combine their strengths and resources to deliver the best maritime transport solutions to customers worldwide. Three united teams and three fleets operate as one shared fleet – specialized in their business field. Customers thus receive carefree and full scope services through simplified commercial interaction. JSI Alliance controls and operates a mix of both owned and chartered project cargo vessels, in total 50, hereof 25 high-end project cargo vessels. With three DP2 vessels, four semi-submersible deck carriers, two range-extending Fly-Jibs and eleven ice-class vessels, the JSI Alliance can reach almost any location and master the most demanding scopes. Additionally, time charter vessels can be organized should it be needed. 

JSI Alliance provides a highly flexible shipping solution and a broad range of services which exceeds any other break bulk and project shipping service amenable in the market space. With lifting capacities from standardized multipurpose ships of 160 t SWL and up to 3,000 t SWL, JSI Alliance manages the largest fleet of vessels in the +800 t lifting segment as well as the most advanced green heavy lift ships with its Orca series vessels launching in 2024. This provides a commercial bandwidth that stretches from rapid positioning vessels for smaller or larger single shipments, onto large volume contracts to full scope solutions for complex projects – all under one roof. A cohesive group of experienced people – commercial, engineering, project management, QHSE – works closely together with a combined network of agents and offices worldwide to provide clients, whether they are EPCs, brokers, forwarders, OEMs, energy companies or others, with a partnering mentality, expert advice and safely delivered goods. 

JSI Alliance: stronger, together.