Klaveness recently held a gathering in the Port of Fremantle to celebrate the naming of Baltazar, the newest caustic-bulk (CABU) combination carrier in the Klaveness fleet.
The vessels’ appearance is dominated by the pair of 27-metre-tall suction sails. Similar in appearance to the Flettnor Rotors that were used by Jacques Yves Cousteau aboard his research vessel Calypso II in the 1980s and 90s, the suction sail differs in that the sail itself rotates only to point at a wind angle, whereas the Flettnor Rotor rotated continuously.
Fans atop the wings suck air into the sail, which is then blown out over the trailing flap, generating propulsive lift. The sails are expected to generate tangible savings, which Klaveness anticipates being able to demonstrate within six to twelve months of operation.
Baltazar is the third in this current series of fifth-generation combination carriers to be introduced to the Klaveness fleet but is the first to be outfitted with the suction sails. If the predicted savings materialise, then the prior two vessels will be retrofitted at their next heavy maintenance dry-docking. The Klaveness team expect the installation to be able to be completed almost within the timeframe of the maintenance service, with only a minimal impact on revenue services.
As with her two predecessors, Baltazar is equipped with a bubble system that injects a layer of bubbles against the hull near to the bow. The bubbles disrupt the boundary-layer interaction between the seawater and hull to reduce the wetted area and decrease resistance, resulting in greater efficiency through the water.
The concept has been known for decades and was toyed with in the 70s in the aftermath of the fuel crash, and again in the 2000s after the invasion of Iraq, but the technology could never be made to work efficiently enough to justify the expense of installation. Thanks to the collapsed cost of super-computing, modelling of where the bubbles need to emerge from, and how much air pressure etc is needed to keep the layer stable, has allowed for optimising of the air-compressor size making it a cost-effective installation option today.
The CABU vessels are fitted with self-cleaning equipment, featuring high capacity pumping systems that allow each hold compartment to be thoroughly and rapidly cleansed between discharge and loading. Although these vessels will typically transport caustic and alumina, the option to transport liquid cargoes like refined petroleum and other bulk cargoes like grain remain possible.
In his address to the guests Engebret Dahm, CEO of Klaveness Combination Carriers, emphasised that, “The war in Ukraine, followed by the crisis in the Middle East, has been a powerful reminder of just how critical tanker and dry bulk shipping is to the security of supply of food, energy and industrial raw materials. These commodities underpin global supply chains, industries and everyday life of people across the world.
“Following the outbreak of the Middle East Crises earlier this year, one of our vessels spent four long and difficult months trapped inside the Strait of Hormuz. This vessel was discharging Western Australian alumina in the UAE when the war started and was supposed to pick up caustic soda from Saudi Arabia to Western Australia on her return voyage from the Middle East.”
Baltazar is newly arrived from the shipyard in China and is still completing its “shakedown” voyage with a larger than normal crew aboard to ensure that all systems are running smoothly post-delivery. She will soon commence commercial operations by collecting her first load of alumina for shipping internationally.