Bureau Veritas issues approval for propulsion assistance system

Bureau Veritas Marine and Offshore has issued an Approval in Principle to Bluefins for its WaveDrive propulsion assistance system, a novel technology designed to harness ocean wave motion to generate supplementary thrust for oceangoing vessels and reduce fuel consumption. The WaveDrive system uses a hydrofoil connected to the stern of a vessel through a system of mechanical arms. As the vessel pitches in waves, this motion is converted by the system into horizontal thrust, providing additional propulsion assistance without requiring an external energy source. The design is inspired by the movement of a whale’s tail and represents an innovative approach to recovering energy from vessel motion to improve propulsion efficiency. The AiP assessment involved a preliminary technical review by Bureau Veritas covering the system’s mechanical design, hydraulic system, electrical architecture and associated risk assessment.