Anemoi Marine Technologies, a UK-based designed of rotor sails for wind assisted propulsion, has completed the installation of five 35m-tall units on the 400,000 DWT ore carrier NSU Tubarao.
The introduction of the wind propulsion system is expected to reduce by 6-12% annually the fuel consumption of the vessel, which is owned by bulk operater NS United Kaiun Kaisha (NSU) and chartered by mining company Vale International. It marks the fourth VLOC installation of Anemoi rotor sails on vessels chartered by Vale.
The installation on the five-year-old vessel, currently operating under a long-term charter to transport iron ore for Vale, was completed during scheduled drydocking in October in Zhoushan Xinya Shipyard Co., in China. The rotor sails are deployed using a folding (tilting) mechanism for flexibility during cargo handling.
NSU combines rotor sails with advanced digital solutions that optimize power use and vessel routing, to enhance fuel efficiency on NSU Tubarao and maximize the use of wind energy.
NSU Tubarao was also equipped with a new shaft generator designed to enhance the efficiency of the vessel. It is stated that this upgrade not only improves the vessel’s own energy performance, but also optimizes fuel consumption when operating Anemoi’s rotor sails.
Anemoi was able to successfully integrate its technology with the vessel’s shaft generator through advanced control system integration, ensuring coordination between wind propulsion and onboard power supply.
According to Anemoi, the installation stands among its most efficient wind propulsion retrofits projects to date.
Clare Urmston, CEO of Anemoi, said, “The scale of this project shows the market’s growing confidence in wind power as a crucial enabler of lower emission shipping. Working with progressive partners like NSU, Vale and Class NK, we are able to advance rotor sail technology and show how optimizing propulsion integration and navigation for wind assistance can deliver even greater benefits.”
Toru Fujita, director, managing executive officer of NSU, commented, “At NSU we aim to support our stakeholders with the world’s most efficient ships. The rotor sails on NSU Tubarao, and the advanced systems that will help maximise its fuel-saving potential, are a perfect example of those efforts.
“We are pleased to have completed this successful installation, within the scheduled drydock, by strong collaboration of both Anemoi and the NSU team.”
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