State-of-the-art revolutionary rotor-ship E-Ship 1 docked in Dublin Port for the second time on 21 August after a voyage from Emden, Germany writes Jehan Ashmore.
The previous week the 'green' energy concept vessel completed the same route and notably on a maiden commercial voyage to Dublin. Onboard that inaugural voyage to the capital was a cargo of wind-turbines, tower parts and blades for the Castledockrell Wind Farm, currently under construction in Co Wexford.
The newbuild German vessel has four 25-metre high rotating cyclinder towers positioned fore and aft, that enable the vessel to harness wind energy. The rotors act as "sails" to assist propulsion of the 12,810 gross tonnes vessel and in which reduces fuel consumption significantly and lessens the impact of CO2 emissions.
The rotor technology is derived from a principle known as the Magnus Effect. This invention was further adapted in 1925 when the Fletter-Rotor ship set sail. The experimental voyage proved a success though not enough to convince the shipping industry as conventional engine plants remained efficient and the cost of fuel was low.
E-Ship 1's second port-call to Dublin was to deliver another consignment for the Co. Wexford based wind-farm project. The componants are manufactured by Enercon GmBH, the German company which also commissioned the E-Ship 1. The vessel incorporates many innovative designs derived from the wind-technology sector.
E-Ship 1 arriving from Emden on only the second call to Dublin Port on 21 August. Photo Jehan Ashmore/ShipSNAPS
