Norsepower, a provider of auxiliary wind propulsion systems, has announced its first newbuild order. Five tilting Rotor Sails will be installed on board a large bulk carrier.
The agreement heralds the first installation of Norsepower’s innovative Rotor Sails on a bulk carrier, demonstrating the adaptability of the technology to reduce fuel consumption, fuel costs and reduce emissions across a variety of vessel types. Preparations are currently taking place with the installation on board, the owner of which preferring to remain anonymous at this stage, scheduled for 2021.
The announcement follows soon after an agreement between Ro-Ro operator Sea-Cargo and Norsepower for the installation of the world’s first tiltable Rotor Sail, showcasing the innovative design adaptations that can be made for individual vessel requirements.
Harnessing wind to generate thrust and reduce both fuel consumption and emissions has been demonstrated as a viable and current option. According to Norsepower, savings typically range between five and twenty per cent, depending on the wind conditions and vessel route.
Improving the EEDI
‘We are thrilled to be installing five tilting Rotor Sails on board not only the first Norsepower newbuild order, but also the first bulk carrier,’ says Tuomas Riski, CEO, Norsepower. ‘Installing the Rotor Sails on the first bulk carrier demonstrates that our technology is adaptable for both retrofits and newbuild vessels, and across varied operational profiles and vessel types. T
he Rotor Sails can improve a vessel’s Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) and future-proof vessels against impending IMO GHG regulations. There is incredible value in using wind propulsion, particularly as it is a solution available now with proven results.’
Flettner rotor
The Norsepower Rotor Sail Solution – which can be installed on new vessels or retrofitted on existing ships – is a modernised version of the Flettner rotor, a spinning cylinder that uses the Magnus effect to harness wind power to thrust a ship. The solution is fully automated and detects whenever the wind is strong enough to deliver fuel and emission savings, at which point the Rotor Sails start automatically.
This will be the sixth installation of the Norsepower Rotor Sails.
Picture: Tiltable Rotor Sail by Norsepower.
