Norsepower installs rotor sails on first bulk carrier

The installation marks the first use of Norsepower’s rotor sails on a bulk carrier. To enable efficient cargo operations, the five 24 m high, 4 m diameter rotor sails can be tilted using hydraulic cylinders.

The 325,000-dwt VLOC is owned by Pan Ocean Ship Management and will be chartered by Vale after construction is completed in China.

Norsepower said it has analysed the routes for the vessel chartered by Vale and estimates its technology will achieve an efficiency gain of up to 8% and a consequent reduction of up to 3,400 tonnes of CO₂ per year. Norsepower chief executive Tuomas Riski said “We are delighted to be working with Vale, and supporting them to maximise the propulsive power of wind to reduce carbon and other emissions.”

The fully automated system uses the wind to generate thrust, reduce fuel consumption and emissions and is a modern version of the Flettner rotor, a spinning cylinder that uses the Magnus effect to harness wind power to thrust a ship.

Mr Riski said the installation demonstrates the technology “is adaptable across varied operational profiles and vessel types. As vessel operators and charterers strive to decarbonise, the value of wind propulsion for both a retrofit and newbuild vessels is undeniable.”

Norsepower believes the rotor sails’ technology can reduce a vessel’s Energy Efficiency Design Index and future-proof vessels against future IMO regulations and possible fuel hikes.

Vale shipping technical manager Rodrigo Bermelho said “We are working with Norsepower to ensure this newbuild is as environmentally friendly as possible and can achieve significant reductions in fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions. If the pilot proves effective, it is estimated that at least 40% of the fleet will be able to use the technology, which would result in a reduction of almost 1.5% of Vale’s annual iron ore maritime transport emissions.”