by Manal Barakat, SeaNewsEditor

Through a partnership with Team Malizia, a professional sailing team that promotes ocean science and environmental education, German carrier Hapag-Lloyd launched a concept study for a 4,500 TEU ship with wind-assisted propulsion.

Christoph Thiem, Director of Strategic Assets Projects at Hapag-Lloyd, said the company is seeking to study the technical terms required to realise this sustainable solution for container vessels.

“Since this technology isn’t ready for the market yet, we think it’s important to expand our studies on it,” said Thiem.

The first part of the concept research was finished in May 2023, and the carrier initiated phase two in the summer. The corporation now has a preliminary idea of what this type of ship would look like.

The container vessel will be propelled mainly by its engine, and the sail system will only assist propulsion. The amount of assistance the sail system can provide depends on several factors, such as the ship’s speed and the wind conditions. 

At slow speeds of 8 to 10 knots (15 to 20 km/h) and with the right wind conditions, the ship can also be propelled using just the sail system. 

The sail system will only be utilized to aid propulsion; the engine will be the primary source of power for the container ship. 

If the wind is favourable, the ship can also be propelled with simply the sail system at slow speeds of 8 to 10 knots (15 to 20 km/h). The Hapag-Lloyd team hasn't yet looked at every facet of this, though.