Interesting Engineering reported on December 19 that the 400,000-ton Sohar Max ship is equipped with five rotor sails to help the ship accelerate and save fuel significantly.
Anemoi Marine Technologies, a UK-based wind propulsion supplier, has completed the installation of five rotor sails on the vessel. Each rotor is 4.9 m in diameter and 34.7 m high and was placed on the deck of the Sohar Max at the COSCO Zhoushan shipyard in China in October 2024.
Built in 2012 at China’s Rongsheng shipyard, the Sohar Max is the first generation Valemax vessel. It is a global collaboration between Brazilian miner Vale SA, Oman-based shipowner Asyad and rotor sail supplier Anemoi.
The rotor sail is powered by an engine. When the wind hits the rotating rotor sail, a pressure difference occurs. This creates additional thrust to help the ship accelerate or reduce the energy consumption of the main propulsion system. According to Anemoi, if rotor sails were installed on every suitable ship, the world could reduce fuel and emissions by 5-30% per ship annually, 17 million tons of fuel and 56 million tons of carbon.
Rotor sails are increasingly being chosen by shipowners to achieve zero emissions and improve the energy efficiency of their vessels. This compact technology provides high thrust to propel the vessel using wind power, helping the vessel meet international emissions standards. Nick Contopoulos, production and partnership director at Anemoi Marine Technologies, said the project was a highlight for Anemoi, demonstrating the extraordinary impact that wind power can have on even the largest vessels.
Two months ago, Vale announced that it would install Anemoi’s rotor sails on the 400,000-ton NSU Tubarao, owned by NS United Kaiun Kaisha. Scheduled for completion in September 2025, the project will significantly reduce the ship’s energy consumption and carbon emissions. Anemoi also installed a custom-made folding mechanism deployer, which allows the sails to fold vertically to minimize the impact on the ship’s cargo handling operations.
According to the company, by installing the rotor sail, the Sohar Max can now reduce energy consumption by up to 6% and cut carbon emissions by 3,000 tons annually. The Sohar Max has just completed a voyage to Tubarao and begun a period of testing the rotor sail.
According to Intellectual Property
Source: https://doanhnghiepvn.vn/cong-nghe/tau-lon-nhat-the-gioi-su-dung-cong-nghe-day-bang-nang-luong-gio/20241222010521000
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