Rhys BerryMitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) and Vale International SA have announced a partnership to retrofit a 200,000-tonne class bulk carrier with two 35-metre x 5-metre rotor sails produced by Norsepower.
Installation of the rotor sails on the vessel, which is currently employed under a mid–term contract for transportation of iron ore for Vale, is expected in the first half of 2024.
‘By applying this solution, the vessel is expected to achieve about 6-10% fuel and GHG emissions reductions, combined with voyage optimisation technology – enabling significant advancements towards decarbonisation goals and reducing fuel consumptions,’ MOL said today (8 March).
The decision to equip the Capesize vessel with rotor sails follows an agreement between MOL and Vale – announced in November 2021 – to conduct a joint study of the technology, working with UK-based Anemoi Marine Technologies.
As previously reported, in January, Norsepower announced it had secured a loan of nearly €10 million from the Finnish Climate Fund for increasing production capacity.
Image: MOL
Ariane Morrissey
Ian Taylor
