Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (K Line) is pressing ahead with the development of its Seawing kite propulsion system after completing the first stage of trials in France.
Subsidiary Oceanicwing SAS wrapped up phase one in June, using a 300 m² test kite at a land facility to demonstrate strength and performance. With encouraging results confirmed, the company has launched the second stage of work.
The next phase will see a larger kite put through further testing to evaluate safety, operability and long-term reliability, with a view to trials on a K Line bulk carrier. The programme is scheduled to run for around two years, after which the firm hopes to bring the system into practical use.
K Line expects Seawing to cut ship fuel consumption by more than 10%, with potentially greater savings depending on route, speed and vessel type.
In parallel, Oceanicwing has appointed Shingo Kameyama as its new CEO to steer the project towards commercialisation.
