Anemoi Rotor Sail installation marks largest yet wind-propulsion project

Rotor Sails, originally known as Flettner Rotors, are an energy saving technology for the shipping industry comprised of tall cylinders which, when driven to spin, harness the renewable power of the wind to propel ships.  This additional thrust significantly reduces fuel consumption and emissions.  

The five 35 m tall, 5 m diameter Rotor Sails were retrofitted on the vessel – which is operated by Brazilian mining company Vale - at the COSCO Zhoushan shipyard in China along with  a  bespoke folding deployment system, which will enable to sails to be folded from vertical to mitigate any impacts on the vessel’s cargo handling operations.

It is expected that the sails will reduce the vessel’s fuel consumption by up to 6% and cut carbon emissions by up to 3,000 tonnes annually. Sohar Max has just completed a voyage to Tubarao, during which the rotor sail test period began and testing will continue on future voyages.