First Rotor Sails on board bulk carrier

The new vessel, a 325,000 dwt VLOC is owned by Pan Ocean Ship Management and will be chartered by Vale after construction completes in China. The five 24m high and 4m diameter Rotor Sails, the first such installation on board a bulk carrier, are tilted by using hydraulic cylinders.

Tuomas Riski, chief executive of Norsepower said that the Rotor Sails will allow Vale to save fuel and reduce emissions whilst maintaining flexible cargo operations. “Installing our Rotor Sails on the first VLOC demonstrates that our technology is adaptable across varied operational profiles and vessel types,” he said.

“The Rotor Sails can reduce a vessel’s energy efficiency design index and future-proof vessels against impending IMO greenhouse gas regulations as well as against inevitable fuel price increases as new fuels enter the market,” he added.

Rodrigo Bermelho, shipping technical manager, Vale, said that the company was committed to clean technology solutions. “We are working with Norsepower to ensure this new build is as environmentally friendly as possible and can achieve significant reductions in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions,” he said.

“If the pilot proves effective, it is estimated that at least 40 per cent of the fleet will be able to use the technology, which would result in a reduction of almost 1.5 per cent of Vale’s annual iron ore maritime transport emissions,” he added.