Greenpeace is having a new research vessel built at Freire Shipyard. The keel of the 75-metre vessel has already been laid in Vigo, Galicia. New details have now emerged regarding the propulsion system, which is primarily based on a DynaRig. Southern Spars is supplying the rigging, whilst Dykstra Naval Architects is responsible for the calculations and design.
DynaRig as the main drive system
Back in 2011, Greenpeace worked with the Dutch designers at Dykstra to build the 58-metre-long staysail schooner ‘Rainbow Warrior III’, the environmental organisation’s first new vessel. The new flagship will be the first vessel in the world to be fitted with a commercial DynaRig system. From the outset, this has been regarded as a propulsion system, a fact which has led, for example, to the design of smaller diesel tanks. The rig is expected to achieve a propulsion output comparable to that of powerful marine engines.
The rigging consists of two masts, each 60 metres high, from whose grooves 2,000 square metres of North Sails canvas unroll along the yards at the touch of a button. The sailmaker is part of the North Technology Group, which includes Southern Spars and, most recently, North Windships. With its DynaRig concept, the subsidiary is targeting the commercial shipping sector. Operation is automated; a sailor can operate the system from the helm. The construction utilises modern composite materials. The yards on the Greenpeace vessel are made partly from GRP, whereas previous superyacht projects were constructed from full carbon fibre.
Superyachts as ‘guinea pigs’
The automated Rah rig made its debut at "The Maltese Falcon". Since it was commissioned 13 years ago, not a single structural component has been replaced, Damon Roberts told YACHT in 2019 whilst on board the 88-metre yacht. As technical director at Magma Structures, he was responsible for production. Magma, based in the United Kingdom, also supplied the sabre masts for ‘Sailing Yacht A’ and for "Black Pearl"“.
At the end of 2020, the New Zealand mast manufacturers Southern Spars joined the project, introducing the DynaRig brand name and setting up a dedicated production facility in southern Poland. Thanks to a specially designed furnace, the production halls near the town of Ustron are capable of producing masts up to 80 metres long. At present, alongside the rig for Greenpeace’s new 75-metre vessel, a similar system is being built there for a private Catamaran project (57 m) from Western Australia. Southern Spars also plans to fit a DynaRig to a superyacht that is set to be over 120 metres long.
Areas of application and specifications
The environmentalists’ tall ship is being given an ice-class rating so that it can operate in polar waters. On board, there are facilities for scientific work. The crew of up to 38 can deploy remotely operated underwater vehicles and submersibles. The ship serves as a platform for environmental campaigns and research projects. The concept aims to combine wind power with other low-emission energy systems. In the long term, Greenpeace plans to operate the ship entirely without fossil fuels as soon as the supply chain allows.
Wind power in commercial use
The DynaRig differs from conventional rigging in that it automatically aligns itself with the wind. A hydraulic system controls the alignment. The crew do not need to operate any sheets, and there are no winches on deck. The system operates reliably even in strong winds, with the square sails being set and reefed gradually. The design requires little maintenance, and inspections are carried out at fixed intervals.
Pioneering project in the final stages
The launch is scheduled for 2027. Greenpeace then aims to significantly reduce its consumption of fossil fuels at sea and minimise its carbon footprint. “The construction of this sailing vessel, which will become the organisation’s new flagship, demonstrates that it is possible to expand maritime capabilities whilst drastically reducing the carbon footprint. This new vessel, which is being built by the Freire shipyard in Vigo to the highest environmental, sustainability and human rights standards, represents the cutting edge of environmentally conscious shipbuilding,” says Fabien Rondal, Deputy Director of the International Programme at Greenpeace International.
Technical Specifications
- Length: 75 m
- Rig type: DynaRig
- Shipyard: Freire Shipyard, Vigo, Spain
- Designer: Dykstra Naval Architects
- Rig supplier: Southern Spars
- Start of construction: 2025
- Planned entry into service: 2027
- Area of operation: worldwide, including the polar regions
- Special features: Suitable for use with ROVs and submersibles
- Objective: Zero-emission operation
Sören Gehlhaus
Stellvertretender Chefredakteur BOOTE EXCLUSIV