Norsepower to install rotor sails on four Union Maritime tankers

Finnish cleantech company Norsepower will equip four newbuild chemical tankers owned by UK-based shipping company Union Maritime with rotor sails.

PHOTO: Union Maritime's vessel AeroPower fitted with Norsepower's rotor sails. Norsepower

The 18,500-dwt tankers will be designed by China-based ship designing company Shanghai Odely Marine Engineering, Norsepower said. Each vessel will be fitted with two rotor sails.

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.

“A further eight vessels will also be rotor sail ready for easy retrofitting in future,” Norsepower said.

The vessels will be constructed in China by Fujian Southeast Shipbuilding and Wuhu Shipyard, Norsepower said.

Wind-assisted propulsion systems (WAPS) have been gaining popularity among shipowners as they look for technologies that can boost vessel performance, reduce fuel use, and enhance sustainability.

Earlier this year German cement transportation company Baltrader Capital inked a deal with Norsepower to install a rotor sail on its latest cement carrier, M/V Cemcommander.

In February, Singapore-based shipping company Eastern Pacific Shipping (EPS) and Tahitian shipping company SNA TUHA’A PAE (SNA) placed orders for suction sails with Spanish wind-assisted propulsion technology developer bound4blue. Also in February, Dutch chemical tanker firm Chemship commissioned its first WAPS-powered vessel.

By Aparupa Mazumder 

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