Ship Technology

Kongsberg Maritime introduces K-Sail to support WAPS uptake

K-Sail simplifies wind-assist technology adoption through integration and collaboration with various technology partners.

Kongsberg Maritime has introduced K-Sail, a new service aimed at assisting vessel owners in the selection and integration of wind-assist technology.

K-Sail is described as an “advanced” technology platform that aims to enhance vessel operations and decision-making while driving efficiency across fleets.

K-Sail is designed to simplify the adoption of wind-assist technology for ship owners by focusing on integration and collaborating with various technology partners.

Kongsberg Maritime's expertise in maritime technology is claimed to be central to the new service.

The optimisation process is structured around five primary areas: first, an analysis phase that assesses the vessel's operational parameters to identify suitable sail technology.

Second is on steering optimisation to adjust the steering system for the additional thrust from the sails, and third is on propulsion optimisation to ensure the propeller functions efficiently with the new wind propulsion.

Fourth, power management to balance the energy generated by the sails with the vessel's requirements, and finally, voyage optimisation, which employs AI and real-time data to enhance route and speed for improved efficiency.

The K-Sail platform integrates sail management, vessel automation, and route optimisation into a cohesive system, providing operators with comprehensive control over wind-assisted performance without complexity.

Kongsberg Maritime Business Concepts vice president Henrik Alpo Sjoblom said: “Ship owners can choose their preferred type of wind assist technology. There are several available and they all have their own attributes.

“However, to date, these technologies, whether incorporated in a new build, or retrofitted, are essentially an add-on technology. We believe they can be used in a much more effective way.”

Recently, Kongsberg Maritime, Solstad, Østensjø, DeepOcean, and Remota signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to initiate a pilot project assessing the feasibility of remote Dynamic Positioning (DP) operations in the offshore industry.