Norwegian shipowner Berge Rederi has signed a deal with Finland’s wind propulsion systems provider Norsepower for the installation of Norsepower Rotor Sails on its two general cargo vessels.  

These vessels are designed by Marine Design and Consulting (MDC) and built by Jiangsu SOHO Marine Heavy Industry.

The first vessel will be launched by the end of this year.

Engineered to operate with “maximum efficiency and minimal environmental impact”, the 130m ships will feature battery packs and shaft generators to allow hybrid-electric operation over short distances.

Each ship will be fitted with two 24m x 4m Norsepower Rotor Sails, tailored to operate in harsh conditions of snow, ice, rain, and high winds along the Northern Sea routes.

Berge Rederi owner Magne Berge said: “The combination of hybrid propulsion and Norsepower Rotor Sails aligns perfectly with our mission to minimise our environmental footprint while maintaining the highest standards of operational efficiency.”

Norsepower worked with Berge Rederi and Norwegian ship designer MDC to incorporate the emission-reducing Rotor Sails into vessel designs. The team undertook hydrodynamic and structural studies to enhance vessel performance.

Norsepower sales head Marcus Sannholm said: “This project was designed for the extreme conditions of the Northen Sea, and we are proud that Berge Rederi chose Norsepower as their partner.

“Our product has been in use at tough sea conditions for more than a decade now, which enables us to create these kinds of partnerships with innovative, market leading companies. By working with Berge Rederi and MDC from the design phase, we’ve ensured that these vessels will set a new benchmark for sustainability and efficiency in their class.”

In November 2024, Norsepower opened a new rotor sail factory in Dafeng, China.

The facility is equipped to produce 50 rotor sails annually, with an expansion plan to double the output by the end of 2027.