KRISO Leads Rotor Sail Technology, a New Sail Concept

▶ Development of a magnetic bearing-based rotor sail technology with reduced noise and vibration

▶ Obtained approval in principal (AIP) from Korean Register of Shipping (KR)

▶ To be published in International Maritime Organization (IMO) fact sheet, promoting technical excellence of Korea 

□ A new technology to lead the era of eco-friendly ships has been developed.

< Structural design of a magnetic bearing-based rotor sail >

□ Korea Research Institute of Ships & Ocean Engineering (hereafter " KRISO", President Hong Key Yong) announced that it has developed a rotor sail technology based on a magnetic bearing for the first time in the world.

□ A rotor sail refers to a cylindrical structure installed on the deck of a ship to act as a supporting propulsion device that allows the vessel to obtain additional propulsion force based on the Magnus effect caused by the wind and the rotation of the cylinder while navigating.

□ Rotor sails can be readily installed on ships that are currently in operation. As it is regarded in the shipbuilding and shipping sectors that the technology will reduce fuel (6~8%) and carbon emissions when implemented on ships, it continues to gain more attention as an alternative response to stricter regulations on carbon emissions of ships.

□ However, commercially available rotor sails are based on mechanical bearings that rotate the rotors, which have the disadvantages of noise, vibration, and reduced efficiency due to the consequent friction.

□ In contrast, the magnetic bearing-based rotor sail developed by KRISO allows non-contact support of bearings and rotors, drastically reducing noise and vibration. With little friction or wear, it has advantages in terms of durability and easy maintenance.

□ Moreover, as rotor movements can be controlled more quickly than the movements of mechanical-based rotors, the technology is expected to be utilized on ships that navigate coastal waters, where the wind frequently changes its direction and speed.

□ The world's first magnetic bearing-based rotor sail developed by KRISO was officially recognized for its technology as it obtained Approval in Principle (AIP) from the Korean Register of Shipping in December 2022. A fact sheet on its technology is planned to be published and submitted to the IMO for the 80th Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) meeting this July, showcasing the excellence of the technology to the global audience.

□ Lead researcher Kang Hee Jin, the Director of the Alternative Fuels and Power System Research Center at KRISO, reaffirmed further commitment to the development of various eco-friendly ship technologies, including the magnetic bearing-type rotor sails, to secure new growth engines for the shipping, shipbuilding, and equipment industries of Korea in the era of carbon neutral oceans.

□ KRISO plans to build a demonstration platform for coastal ships and verify the reliability of the magnetic bearing-based rotor sails by 2025, while working towards its global standardization at the same time.

< Concept diagram of a demonstration platform to embed a magnetic-based rotor sail and assessment of its application on coastal ships >