Kongsberg Maritime Unveils Innovative K-Sail Technology for Enhanced Wind-Assisted Navigation

Image Credits: Kongsberg Maritime

A recent publication by Kongsberg Maritime introduces K-Sail, an innovative service designed to assist vessel owners in effectively selecting and integrating wind-assist technology. This development comes at a time when ship operators are increasingly looking for enduring solutions to cut down on fuel usage and emissions.

Wind-assist technology has seen a surge in interest as maritime professionals explore greener alternatives. The K-Sail service aims to simplify the often complex process of adopting this technology by emphasizing seamless integration and partnering with various tech innovators.

“Ship owners have the flexibility to choose from different types of wind assist technologies, each with unique features. Historically, these systems have been treated as mere add-ons—whether installed on new vessels or retrofitted onto existing ones. We believe ther’s potential for a more strategic application,” explains Henrik Alpo Sjöblom, Vice President of Business Concepts at Kongsberg Maritime and the visionary behind K-Sail.

Kongsberg’s deep knowledge in maritime tech integration is pivotal for the success of the K-Sail initiative. The optimization process is broken down into five essential components:

1. Analysis: Assessing operational parameters to identify suitable sail technologies.
2. Steering Optimization: Modifying steering systems to harness additional thrust from sails.
3. Propulsion Optimization: Ensuring propellers function efficiently alongside wind propulsion.
4. Power Management: Balancing energy needs with power generated by sails.
5. Voyage Optimization: Leveraging AI and real-time data for route planning that maximizes efficiency.

“K-Sail is all about making different ship systems work together more harmoniously,” Sjöblom adds casually. “While adding sails isn’t groundbreaking,successfully utilizing them hinges on how well they integrate into existing ship operations.”

one notable collaboration involves Terntank, which has partnered with the K-Sail team on an exciting pilot project set to launch its first wind-assisted tanker in 2025—marking a significant milestone for both Terntank and the K-Sail initiative. Sjöblom anticipates that fuel savings could rise from an initial estimate of 9% up to 15% thanks to this innovative approach.

as vessel owners look towards sustainable practices, services like K-Sail represent not just technological advancement but also a shift towards smarter maritime operations that prioritize environmental responsibility while enhancing efficiency at sea.