KR delivered a groundbreaking low-carbon sailing cargo ship, SV Juren Ae, to the Marshall Islands Shipping Corporation (MISC) on 31 July. Built under the KR class in South Korea, this innovative vessel marks a milestone in sustainable maritime transport.
Funded by the International Climate Initiative (IKI), the SV Juren Ae, IMO no. 1021245, a 48-meter-long, 300 dwt supply vessel, is the result of a collaborative effort led by the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ) through their project ‘Transition to Low-Carbon Sea Transport in the Republic of the Marshall Islands’ for the German Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV) since 2017. Key project partners include KR, the University of Applied Sciences Emden-Leer in Germany, MISC, Asia Shipbuilding Co. Ltd. and naval design company Kostec Co. Ltd. in Busan, among others.
Developed at the maritime campus of Emden/Leer University of Applied Sciences and constructed at Asia Shipbuilding in Geoje City, Korea, the vessel boasts several innovative features. At its core, it is a partially automated sail system designed by German naval designer HSVA, adapted from a traditional Indonesian sail design. This “Indosail-Sailing Rig,” complemented by installed PV units and a hybrid drive system, is projected to reduce CO2 emissions by approximately 80% compared to similar-sized ships.
The vessel’s hybrid power system allows for versatile operation. The ship’s propeller and engine are used for slow-speed manoeuvring, while the propeller can also function as a turbine to generate electricity via a hybrid gearbox and generator. This innovative design enables the SV Juren Ae to achieve a service speed of approximately 12 knots under sail and around 7 knots with the auxiliary diesel engine.
Further enhancing its eco-friendly credentials, the ship features a battery rack charged by excess wind power, which powers the vessel’s electric drive during low-speed operations.
Michael Suhr, Regional Director of North Europe at KR, commented on the project’s significance, “The SV Juren Ae represents a pivotal moment in maritime innovation. This pioneering ship serves as a beacon for a low-carbon future in maritime transport, showcasing the viability and efficiency of sustainable technologies in the maritime industry.”
MISC will operate the SV Juren Ae for domestic sea transportation within the Marshall Islands and the broader Pacific Region. This project offers a compelling business case for sail-driven cargo vessels, particularly in regions with high fuel prices like the Pacific islands. It also aims to inspire other Pacific Island states to adopt low-carbon technologies and concepts for maritime transport.
This article originally appeared on Sea News.
Photo: GIZ LCST
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