OPTIWISE’s tanker tests in the Maritime Dynamics Laboratory at RISE

A model of OPTIWISE’s wind-assisted VLCC (Very Large Crude Oil Carrier) has been tested in the Maritime Dynamics Laboratory at RISE. The tests are part of an OPTIWISE project task aimed at assessing the vessel's maneuverability at sea to ensure safe navigation.

The vessel was developed at RISE’s “SSPA Maritime Centre” in collaboration with OceanWings’ Wingsails and Euronav. It is fitted with eight Oceanwing 588 wingsails, each of which is a two-element wingsail with an area of 588 m².

The tests lasted for three weeks in October 2024, with a demo day organized on Thursday, October 17. Project partners were invited to observe the tests, along with RISE staff and journalists from Sweden and Germany. Representatives from Chantier de l'Atlantique, OceanWings, MARIN, and RISE attended the event.

Both testing in a sea state (irregular waves) and maneuvering according to the “Standards for Ship Maneuverability” were conducted, with two fans mounted on the model to simulate the forces produced by the OceanWings sails. The model was tested at a 1:68 scale, and additional tests were conducted beyond those performed on the demo day.

Very few model basins in the world are equipped to carry out such tests on vessels fitted with wind-assisted propulsion, due to the complex equipment and testing methodologies required. The tests will also be used to validate the computer simulations conducted at RISE.

Frederik Gerhardt explain to the press the details of the tests

The wind assisted VLCC model

The Maritime Dynamics Laboratory at RISE during the tests