Japanese shipowner, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) and Vale International of Brazil have announced a partnership to retrofit a 200,000dwt bulk carrier, currently employed under a mid–term contract for the transportation of iron ore for Vale, with two 35m x 5m rotor sails produced by Norsepower of Finland. The installation of the rotor sails is expected to take place in the first half of 2024.
The Norsepower Rotor Sail, made of lightweight and strong composite material and with a fully automated control system, produces thrust as the wind generates differential pressure around the slewing rotor while the vessel is sailing. By applying this solution, the vessel is expected to achieve about 6-10% reductions in fuel and greenhouse gas emissions , combined with voyage optimisation technology.
It has also recently been confirmed that design and engineering consultancy, Houlder, will participate in a project led by Smart Green Shipping (SGS) that will see an SGS FastRig wing sail retrofitted to a large, unnamed vessel. The project, which recently received funding from the UK Department for Transport, involves the University of Southampton, SGS, Humphreys Yacht Design, Houlder, Malin Group, Caley Ocean Systems, Argo Engineering, Lloyd’s Register, MOL DryBulk and Drax, and will run from April 2023 to 2025.
