Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (K Line) is excited to announce the establishment of Oceanicwing S.A.S. in France on January 18th, followed by the acquisition of Airseas (France) on February 15th. This strategic move aims to bolster the development and commercialization of “Seawing” an automated kite system utilizing wind power.
Anticipated to slash vessel CO2 emissions by approximately 20%, “Seawing” offers promising potential when coupled with fuel conversion initiatives such as adopting liquefied natural gas (LNG) over conventional heavy fuel oil. Versatile and adaptable, “Seawing” can be retrofitted onto any vessel, including existing ones, without the need for additional energy infrastructure.
Aligned with K Line’s long-term environmental vision, K Line Environmental Vision 2050 “Blue Seas for the Future”, the company is committed to achieving a 50% improvement in CO2 emission efficiency by 2030 compared to 2008, surpassing the 40% target set by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). Ultimately, K Line aims for net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050, contributing to the advancement of a low-carbon society through the development of innovative environmental technologies like “Seawing”.
Automated kite system, Seawing, channels wind power to efficiently tow cargo ships, effectively reducing carbon emissions and cutting fuel consumption. Featuring a 1000m² sail surface, Seawing harnesses the immense power of the wind to propel ships forward. Through rigorous modelling and preliminary land-based tests, Airseas estimates that Seawing can deliver an average fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions reduction of 20%. Seawing’s simplicity is evident in its intuitive control panel located on the bridge, allowing for safe deployment, operation, and storage with no crew intervention required.
The system’s installation as a retrofit is remarkably swift, ensuring seamless integration onto existing vessels without disrupting flow planning. Moreover, Seawing’s intelligence extends beyond its operation, as it can be seamlessly integrated into fleet information systems to enhance overall efficiency. Continuously enriched data models, based on experience, further optimize Seawing’s performance over time.
Established in 2016 by a team of aeronautical engineers, Airseas specializes in designing, manufacturing, and implementing wind propulsion solutions aimed at reducing carbon emissions in the maritime industry. Our flagship product, Seawing, stands out as one of the market’s leading renewable energy propulsion systems, with plans for widespread deployment beginning in 2025. Our ambitious target is to integrate Seawing onto approximately 600 vessels by 2030. At Airseas, we are committed to building a strong ecosystem, focusing on developing a sustainable business model that not only creates value but also generates employment opportunities.
Source K Line