According to HHI, the wind-assisted propulsion system can reduce fuel consumption and carbon emissions by 6 to 8%.

The approval follows a close partnership between KR and HHI. Back in December 2020, KR approved an Approval in Principle for Hi-Rotor as a first step to actively developing the technology. This May, both companies collaborated in hosting a Hazard Identification (HAZID) workshop, to further enhance the safety of the system.

HHI is planning to complete the production in the second half of this year, and is concentrating on preparing for a feasibility test, as well as discussing the future commercialization of the system with major ship owners.

Rotor sails are cylindrical structures installed on ships’ decks that reduce fuel consumption and carbon emissions by generating additional propulsion using wind. HHI’s Hi-Rotor uses the ‘Magnus Effect’, using the pressure differences around the rotor sail to generate propulsion.