Anemoi installs rotor sails on ore carrier

UK-based wind propulsion technology company Anemoi Marine Technologies has installed five 35-meter-tall rotor sails on a 400,000 dwt ore carrier.

IMAGE: Anemoi's 35-meter-tall rotor sails installed on NSU's vessel. Anemoi

The five-year-old vessel, NSU Tubarao, is owned by Japanese bulk operator NS United Kaiun Kaisha (NSU) and chartered by Brazilian mining giant Vale International.

The very large ore carrier (VLOC) is expected to reduce fuel consumption using the wind-assisted propulsion system, Anemoi said.

A rotor sail is a modernised form of Flettner rotor based on the Magnus effect, which creates air pressure to cause spinning. Under favourable wind conditions, the rotor sails will enable the vessel's main engine to throttle back and consume less fuel while providing enough power to maintain speed.

This marks the fourth VLOC installation of Anemoi rotor sails on vessels chartered by Vale, the company said.

The installation was completed during scheduled drydocking in October at Zhoushan Xinya Shipyard in China, according to Anemoi.

By Aparupa Mazumder

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