First cargo ship with sails on the Great Lakes is part of CSL’s Eureka joint venture

Eureka Shipping, a joint venture between the CSL Group and Cyprus-based SMT Shipping to provide high-efficiency cement carrier services, has introduced MV Sunnanvik as the first cargo ship equipped with sails to operate on the Great Lakes.

The 8,600 deadweight metric tonnes (DWT) mechanical/pneumatic cement carrier, which has two flexible vertical sails, began trading in the Great Lakes in April. The Ventofoil sails from the Dutch company Econowind are mounted in movable containers with reinforced deck foundations to harness wind energy for additional thrust. They boost the vessel’s speed in favourable conditions, which contributes to lowering fuel-related emissions.

Installation of the sails was completed in 10 days. The insights gained from the MV Sunnanvik will guide CSL’s future projects with the potential of installing wind power on other ships to improve maritime sustainability.

See the MV Sunnanvik and its Ventofoil sails in action.