Oldendorff and Teck to retrofit bulk carrier with rotor sails

The rotor sails will be supplied by Finnish wind propulsion systems maker Norsepower and be retrofitted next year.

PHOTO: A vessel equipped with Norsepower's rotor sails. Norsepower

German bulk carrier company Oldendorff Carriers and mining firm Teck have jointly invested in the rotor sails for the bulk carrier Dietrich Oldendorff. The vessel is mostly used to transport coal for Teck from the Port of Vancouver in Canada and usually sails across the Pacific.

A rotor sail is a modern version of flettner rotor that is based on the Magnus effect, which creates air pressure to cause spinning. During favourable wind conditions, the rotor sails will allow the vessel's main engine to throttle back and save fuel consumption while providing enough power to maintain speed.

The rotor sails can reduce a vessel’s fuel consumption by up to 25% compared to regular ships during favourable wind conditions, Norsepower claims.

Rotor sails are becoming popular among shipowners to reduce vessels’ fuel consumption. While shipowners are increasingly adopting this technology, concerns about the impact on vessel stability have also emerged. According to a recent report published by the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA), a vessel equipped with rotor sails may experience difficulties in manoeuvrability during high winds.  

By Nithin Chandran

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