Pelican performance prediction software receives RINA AiP
RINA has awarded an Approval in Principle (AiP) for its Pelican performance prediction software for wind-assisted ships. With this, Pelican has become the first software of its kind to have received class recognition.
Pelican, the product of over ten years of PhD research, is able to simulate the performance of a ship equipped with wind propulsion technologies using specific wind conditions and sea states. Uniquely, Pelican features a built-in force module for both aero- and hydrodynamics. With this, reliable performance predictions can be rapidly obtained without recourse to costly CFD or model testing.
The software draws on a large database of wind propulsion systems comprising Flettner rotors, wingsails, turbosails and kitesails. Combining this with a dataset of over 1,500 simulation results of 60 hull variants, representing a broad range of commercial vessel types, Pelican informs investment and design-related decision making with regards to installation of wind assisted propulsion. It can also be used to generate dedicated vessel models for weather routing and voyage optimisation applications.
The software was developed by Blue Wasp Marine, a team of marine engineers with a shared passion for both sailing and green technology. Founded in 2021, Blue Wasp Marine is on a mission to help decarbonise the shipping industry.
Blue Wasp Marine Co-Founder Giovanni Bordogna said:
“We are delighted to have received this AiP. This is an important milestone for us. We have been working on the development of Pelican for many years, including during our PhD research and it’s very satisfying to see those efforts paying off in this way. The recognition that Pelican has received from RINA will enable us to better serve our clients and paves the way for increased maritime sustainability.”
Patrizio Di Francesco of RINA said:
“We are happy to recognise the Pelican performance prediction software, confident in its ability to accurately represent the reductions in vessel fuel consumption and emissions in each of the operational profiles considered. Innovations such as Pelican are of great importance to the maritime sector, assisting our industry as it navigates the complex challenges of the energy transition.”
