The push to cut greenhouse gas emissions through wind-assisted ship propulsion continues to gain traction after Anemoi completed the rotor sail installation on NS United Kaiun Kaisha bulk carrier NSU Tubarao.
UK-based Anemoi Marine Technologies completed the retrofit on another of the largest vessels in the world after installing five 35m-tall units on the 400,000-dwt ore carrier.
The vessel is owned by bulk owner/operator NS United Kaiun Kaisha (NSU) and is chartered by mining giant Vale International.
This marks the fourth VLOC installation of Anemoi rotor sails on vessels chartered by Vale.
The rotor sail 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 in China.
The rotor sails are deployed using a folding (tilting) mechanism for flexibility during cargo handling.
NSU Tubarao is a 361m length overall, 65m beam very large ore carrier delivered in September 2020. With a deadweight tonnage of 399,717, it is amongst the largest bulk carriers in the world.
The completion of this installation means Anemoi has surpassed 1.6 million dwt of vessel tonnage installed with Anemoi rotor sails.
During the scheduled special survey, the vessel was also equipped with a new shaft generator designed to enhance efficiency.
“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 optimising propulsion integration and navigation for wind assistance can deliver even greater benefits,” said chief executive officer of Anemoi Clare Urmston.
