Anemoi Marine Technologies has completed the installation of five rotor sails on board the “Sohar Max”.
At 400,000 dwt, the Valemax-class bulk carrier is the largest vessel to date to track such wind propulsion technology. The five 35 metre high rotor sails with a diameter of 5 metres were retrofitted on board the “Sohar Max” in October 2024 at Cosco’s Zhoushan shipyard in China. In addition, Anemoi has installed a folding system that allows the sails to be folded out of the vertical to reduce the impact on the ship’s handling operations.
Anemoi technology reduces emissions
It is expected that the installation of the rotor sails will enable the “Sohar Max” to reduce its fuel consumption by up to 6% and cut CO2 emissions by up to 3,000 tons annually. Built in 2012 at the Rongsheng shipyard in China, the vessel recently completed a voyage to Tubarao, where testing of the rotor sails began.
The project, announced in November 2023, is an example of the global collaboration between Brazilian mining company Vale, Omani shipping company Asyad and sail technology company Anemoi from the UK.
“Since 2010, Vale has been deploying highly efficient vessels and in recent years has promoted initiatives for the use of wind energy, which will play a central role in decarbonising the maritime transport of iron ore,” says Rodrigo Bermelho, Director of Shipping at Vale. “This project underlines Vale’s shipping division’s tradition of investing in innovation in partnership with shipowners and promoting fleet modernisation to reduce emissions.”
Wind energy supports even the largest ships
“This is an exciting, landmark project for Anemoi and for wind propulsion in general, as it demonstrates the significant impact of wind energy on even the largest vessels. The installation of our rotor sails at this scale is a proud moment where we can showcase our award-winning technology on yet another ore carrier,” said Nick Contopoulos, Chief Production & Partnerships Officer of Anemoi Marine Technologies. “We are delighted to be part of Vale and Asyad’s ongoing sustainability plans and to support their efforts to decarbonise the entire maritime industry.”
In October 2024, Vale announced that Anemoi rotor sails will also be installed on board the 400,000-ton vessel “NSU Tubarao”, owned by shipping company NS United Kaiun Kaisha. The project is scheduled for completion in September 2025.
Anemoi has recently installed rotor sails on several vessels, including a VLOC from U-Ming and an ore carrier from Berge Bulk. The technology provider also received type approval for its sail design from DNV at SMM 2024.
