Rotor sail system for Pacific combi carrier

The 2000-built MV Koryu, a 53,762 dwt combination carrier, is operated by Nippon Marine, a member of SENKO group (in which JX Nippon Mining & Metals holds a 40% stake). The vessel itself has one of the highest cargo capacity utilisations in the sector. BHP and PPC have multi-year agreements to deliver copper concentrates from Chile to Japan as well as sulphuric acid from Japan to Chile. By installing an auxiliary wind propulsion systems, the parties hope to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from maritime transportation between BHP’s copper mines in Chile and PPC’s smelters in Japan. 

Under the terms of the agreement, the parties are conducting a technical assessment and plan a retrofit installation of a Norsepower wind-assisted propulsion system onboard the combination carrier. The rotor sails installation is scheduled for completion by the third quarter of 2023, which is expected to make Koryu the cleanest vessel in its category when measured for GHG emissions intensity.  

Norsepower’s rotor sails are modernised versions of Flettner rotors, and the technology is based on the Magnus effect that harnesses wind to maximise ship fuel efficiency. When wind conditions are favorable, rotor sails allow the main engines to be throttled back, saving fuel and reducing emissions, while also reducing power needed to maintain speed and voyage time. 

BHP’s Chief Commercial Officer, Vandita Pant, said: “Identifying and implementing innovative and sustainable solutions through our strong commodity and supply chain partnerships remain essential in supporting BHP’s decarbonisation ambitions. We look forward to working with PPC on the wind-assisted propulsion system to enable further GHG emissions reduction in our supply chain and add to the already strong partnership between BHP and PPC.” 

This latest partnership with PPC and Norsepower follows BHP’s collaboration agreements in the maritime decarbonisation segment that includes the first marine biofuel trial involving an ocean-going vessel bunkered in Singapore, taking delivery of the first of five LNG-fuelled Newcastlemax bulk carriers and joining a consortium to assess the development of an iron ore Green Corridor between Australia and East Asia.