GEAR | Tharsis Sea-River Shipping awards contract for wind-assist propulsion installation

Dutch dry cargo company Tharsis Sea-River Shipping has awarded local propulsion specialist eConowind a contract for the installation of wind-assisted propulsion units on one of its vessels.

Each propulsion unit that will be fitted on the 2,364DWT diesel-electric cargo vessel Tharsis will consist of a wing with a flap principle similar to those used by aircraft during landing and take-off. Setting the wings optimally relative to the wind will be done by a small third steering-wing.

The units may be folded and stowed when not in use.

The installation work on Tharsis will be carried out by Next Generation Shipyards and is scheduled to be completed by February 2021.