Van Oossanen Wins Accolade for Its Energy-Saving and Seakeeping Device

Van Oossanen, a distinguished name in naval architecture, recently garnered significant recognition with the prestigious Maritime Innovation Award, presented by the Royal Institution of Naval Architects (RINA) in collaboration with QinetiQ. This accolade highlights their groundbreaking invention—the Hull Vane—a device designed to enhance fuel efficiency and seakeeping capabilities in vessels.

The Hull Vane: A Glimpse into Its Design and Functionality

The Hull Vane traces its conceptual origins to a pivotal design by Peter van Oossanen for the keel winglets on the legendary Australia II, which clinched the America’s Cup in 1983. This innovative device consists of a specially designed foil mounted below the transom of a ship or yacht, utilizing struts or sponsons to alter the hull’s pressure distribution. The result? A significant reduction in resistance and fuel consumption, coupled with improved onboard comfort by minimizing pitching and yawing motions.

This patent-protected technology has now blossomed into a dedicated business wing for Van Oossanen, marking an important milestone as the firm celebrates its 25th anniversary.

Recognition from the Maritime Community

During the Annual Dinner in London on April 27, 2017, Peter van Oossanen personally received the Maritime Innovation Award from Ron Finlayson, Strategic Business Director of QinetiQ. The jury praised the Hull Vane for its simplicity and efficacy, underlining the growing necessity to develop solutions that lower both costs and the carbon footprint of maritime operations.

In a world increasingly focused on sustainability, Van Oossanen noted, “Doing nothing is more risky than doing something,” emphasizing the importance of action in the realms of CO2 reduction and fuel efficiency.

Industry Impact and Early Adoption

Heesen Yachts was the first superyacht builder to implement the Hull Vane in its design, debuting it on the 42m M/Y Alive in 2014. This vessel, equipped with both a Fast Displacement Hull Form (FDHF) and the Hull Vane, reportedly offers fuel savings of up to 30 percent, illustrating the tangible benefits of this innovation.

While the Hull Vane is a novel approach to improving vessel performance, it’s important to recognize that it isn’t entirely unprecedented. In fact, the concept resonates with earlier work by Martin Francis, who introduced a fixed hydrofoil under the transom of his 75m yacht, Eco (now known as Enigma), 25 years ago. This innovation provided a substantial lift of 120 tons, enhancing performance significantly at various speeds.

Adoption Across Multiple Sectors

Van Oossanen’s Hull Vane has garnered an impressive portfolio, with ten contracts secured across military, commercial, and superyacht sectors. One notable project is the 46m Gotham Project, designed by Ivan Erdevicki, which is currently under construction at Icon Yachts in the Netherlands. The Hull Vane has also been retrofitted to a 36m motoryacht (originally designed in 2012 by Van Oossanen), boosting fuel efficiency and extending range by 25 percent.

Moving Towards a Sustainable Future

The global maritime industry is at a pivotal moment, especially with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) setting a target for low-sulphur fuel usage starting in 2020. This regulation is expected to raise marine fuel costs, pushing the industry further toward innovative solutions like the Hull Vane.

As industry professionals become more aware of the risks associated with inaction, Van Oossanen’s vision for a sustainable future is gaining traction, driving the conversation around fuel efficiency, lifecycle costs, and environmental responsibility within maritime design and technology.

For more information about Van Oossanen’s innovative contributions to naval architecture, explore their profile here. Stay updated with the latest industry trends and insights by signing up for SuperyachtNews Week.