Finnish technology group Wärtsilä has unveiled a service cooperation agreement with compatriot company Norsepower, a provider of auxiliary wind propulsion systems for shipping.
As explained, the deal would enable Norsepower to order service work from Wärtsilä, while Wärtsilä can pursue and sell Norsepower Rotor Sail projects with support from Norsepower.
With the growth of Norsepower’s manufacturing capacity and the anticipated increasing demand for its Rotor Sails, the collaboration is expected to help Norsepower work at scale and further strengthen customer service offering, according to Wärtsilä.
The main target sectors include tankers, passenger ferries and cruise ships, as well as dry cargo vessels.
“The industry is transforming and we intend to be at the forefront of this change. We are really enthusiastic about this cooperation with Norsepower… We are now embarking on an exciting journey together, supporting and promoting sustainable technologies for a cleaner future,” Stefan Wiik, Vice President, Asset Management Services at Wärtsilä, commented.
“Due to the rapid rise of demand for modern wind propulsion in shipping, Norsepower Rotor Sails are expected to be installed on multiple vessels in the near future,” Jukka Kuuskoski, Norsepower’s CSO, said.
“We are … delighted by this partnership agreement, and the ability it gives us to support our customers no matter where they are sailing and operating our technology. It also comes at a time when the global shipping industry is looking for proven and economical solutions to reduce their carbon footprint,” he added.
Since being launched in 2014, Norsepower Rotor Sails have been installed on three vessels, resulting in a reduction of their CO2 output by an estimated 5,000 tons.
A fourth installation is already planned for 2020 when Scandlines’ hybrid passenger ferry Copenhagen will get the Norsepower’s technology.