Another One of the World’s Biggest Ore Ships is Getting Rotor Sails to Help Fight Climate Change

Japanese shipowner NS United Kaiun Kaisha, Ltd. (NSU) and Brazilian mining giant Vale International SA have agreed to install innovative rotor sails on the Very Large Ore Carrier (VLOC) NSU TUBARAO.

The 400,000 DWT “Valemax” vessel, which has been under a long-term charter contract Vale since September 2020, will be equipped with five tilting rotor sails manufactured by UK-based Anemoi Marine Technologies.

The installation, scheduled for September 2025, marks a significant step in the maritime industry’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The rotor sails, standing 35 meters tall and 5 meters in diameter, are expected to slash fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by an impressive 6-12%.

Rotor sails, a modernized version of the Flettner rotor, harness the Magnus effect to generate thrust. By creating a pressure difference around a rotating cylindrical sail on the deck, the innovative devices provide additional propulsion, reducing the vessel’s fuel consumption and associated emissions.

“NSU has been actively working to make their vessels more efficient and reduce their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through the introduction of energy-saving devices such as rotor sails and by transitioning to ships powered by next-generation fuels,” the company said in a statement.

Vale has been at the forefront of adopting rotor sail technology on some of the world’s largest ore ships. In 2021, the company installed five tilting Rotor Sails on a newbuild VLOC, supplied by Finnish specialist Norsepower Oy. More recently, in November 2023, Vale announced plans to equip the Sohar Max, a 400,000 dwt “Valemax” VLOC, with five 35-meter-tall cylindrical folding sails from Anemoi Marine Technologies.

This past August, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines and Vale retrofitted a 200,000-ton class bulk carrier with two Norsepower Rotor Sails, marking the world’s first application of rotor sails on a capesize bulk carrier.

Vale’s fleet of iron ore vessels typically operate on deep-sea routes between Brazil, China, and the Middle East, provides ideal conditions for wind propulsion technologies.

In line with the Paris Agreement, Vale aims to cut scope 3 emissions by 15% by 2035, including shipping emissions from its chartered vessels.

Unlock Exclusive Insights Today!

Join the gCaptain Club for curated content, insider opinions, and vibrant community discussions.

Sign Up