Anemoi Marine Technologies has completed the installation of rotor sails on the very large ore carrier (VLOC), Sohar Max.
Owned by Brazilian mining company Vale and Omani shipowner Asyad, the Sohar Max VLOC is a first-generation Valemax built in 2012.
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The Sohar Max vessel now features five 35m-tall rotor sails, designed to reduce fuel consumption by up to 6% and reduce carbon emissions by approximately 3,000t annually.
The rotor sails retrofitted at the COSCO Zhoushan shipyard in China in October 2024.
Anemoi’s folding deployment system has also been installed, allowing the sails to be folded to avoid interference with cargo operations.
Anemoi Marine Technologies chief production and partnerships officer Nick Contopoulos said: “This is an exciting landmark project for Anemoi, and wind propulsion in general, as it demonstrates the significant impact wind energy has on even the largest vessels.
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By GlobalData“Installing our Rotor Sails on this scale is a proud moment, showcasing our award-winning technology on another ore carrier. We are thrilled to be a part of Vale and Asyad’s ongoing sustainability plans and to support their efforts in driving decarbonisation across the maritime industry.”
The ship has recently completed a voyage to Tubarao, Brazil initiating the testing phase for the rotor sails, which will continue in subsequent journeys.
Vale shipping director Rodrigo Bermelho said: “Since 2010, Vale has been operating with highly efficient ships and, in recent years, has fostered initiatives for the adoption of wind energy, which will play a central role in the decarbonisation of maritime transport of iron ore.
“This project reinforces this tradition of Vale’s shipping area of investing in innovation and stimulating the modernisation of the fleet to reduce emissions, in partnership with shipowners.”
In October, Vale disclosed plans to install Anemoi’s Rotor Sails on another 400,000dwt VLOC, the NSU Tubarao, owned by NS United Kaiun Kaisha.
Expected to be completed by September 2025, the project aims to achieve substantial fuel and carbon emission reductions.
The recent collaborations with Vale mark the newest additions to Anemoi’s ongoing installation initiatives with some of the largest shipowners and operators globally.
Rotor sails technology is increasingly being adopted by shipowners aiming to reduce carbon emissions and improving the energy performance of their vessels.
Last month, Norsepower, a provider of wind-assisted propulsion for the maritime industry, commissioned a new rotor sail factory in Dafeng, China.
The facility is equipped to produce 50 rotor sails annually, with an expansion plan to double output by the end of 2027.
In the same month, Oldendorff Carriers installed three Norsepower Rotor Sails (NPRS) on its post-panamax bulker Chinook Oldendorff.
Maersk Tankers also placed an order for wind assisted propulsion system (WAPS) from bound4Blue to power its five vessels.
