Norsepower, a leader in wind propulsion technology, and renowned shipping company IINO Kaiun Kaisha, Ltd. (IINO LINES) have successfully completed the installation of two Norsepower Rotor Sails™️ (NPRS) on the Oceanus Aurora, a Very Large Gas Carrier (VLGC) chartered by Borealis, a major provider of sustainable polyolefins solutions. Borealis, also a pioneer in polyolefins recycling and a prominent base chemicals producer in Europe, is driving advancements in environmental sustainability across the industry.
The Oceanus Aurora now boasts two custom-designed NPRS™️ units, each 20 meters tall and 4 meters in diameter. These units were specifically tailored to meet the vessel’s strict air draught limits, ensuring optimal performance while adhering to the vessel’s design parameters.
The Norsepower Rotor Sail™️ is an innovative modernized version of the Flettner rotor. It works by using a small amount of electricity to spin cylindrical sails on the vessel’s deck, harnessing the Magnus effect to generate additional propulsion. This reduces fuel consumption, emissions, and operating costs by supplementing the ship’s main engine with wind power. The technology provides a sustainable alternative to traditional fuel-dependent propulsion systems.
Operating primarily between Houston, USA, and Stenungsund, Sweden, or Porvoo, Finland, the Oceanus Aurora will see significant benefits from the NPRS installation. Norsepower projects a reduction in fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions of approximately 4%. This will not only contribute to the vessel’s compliance with international emissions reduction targets, including the Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII), but also help mitigate the impact of rising fuel costs, which have been a growing concern for the shipping industry.
Thomas Van De Velde, Senior Vice President of Base Chemicals and Energy at Borealis, stated, “Minimizing the environmental footprint of our transportation activities is vital to our Energy & Climate strategy. The innovative Norsepower Rotor Sails™️ on the Oceanus Aurora will help us achieve our ambitious emission reduction targets and support the transition to more environmentally sustainable transportation.”
Seiichi Fujimura, Director and Executive Officer of IINO Lines, emphasized the importance of sustainability in shipping. “Investing in sustainable vessels is paramount to our commitment to environmental stewardship. By partnering with Norsepower and Borealis, we are integrating cutting-edge technologies into our operations, further advancing our decarbonization efforts,” he said.
Heikki Pöntynen, CEO of Norsepower, highlighted the significance of this milestone for the shipping industry. “The success of this recent installation underlines the proactive stance the shipping industry is taking toward sustainability. Our Rotor Sails™️ have already demonstrated tangible results, with 27 units currently in operation showing significant reductions in both fuel costs and emissions. We are proud to support IINO Lines and Borealis in their pursuit of environmental and commercial excellence.”
The Oceanus Aurora, a dual-fuel LPG vessel, was delivered in March 2023 by Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co., Ltd. (now Hanwha Ocean Co., Ltd.). The foundations for the Norsepower Rotor Sails™️ were installed during the construction of the ship, with the final installation taking place in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, in early November 2024.
This collaboration marks a significant step forward in the shipping industry’s commitment to reducing its environmental impact while enhancing operational efficiency. As the industry continues to embrace sustainable solutions, the successful integration of wind-assisted propulsion systems on vessels like the Oceanus Aurora is paving the way for a greener, more efficient future for global shipping.
About NorsePower
Norsepower’s Rotor Sails harness wind energy to propel global commercial shipping fleets, aiming to curtail the environmental footprint of maritime transport by providing efficient, user-friendly, and dependable auxiliary wind propulsion systems.
Source NorsePower