Norsepower, a renowned provider of mechanical sails for large vessels, has inked a groundbreaking deal with Union Maritime Limited (UML) to outfit its upcoming fleet of product tankers with Norsepower Rotor Sails™ (NPRS™). The agreement encompasses the installation of rotor sails on four newbuild ships, with provisions for future retrofitting on eight additional vessels.
These tankers, engineered by Shanghai Odely Marine Engineering Co., Ltd., are tailored for chemical transportation, boasting a deadweight capacity of 18,500 tons. Each vessel will sport two NPRS™, incorporating Norsepower’s state-of-the-art explosion-protection design, ensuring compliance with rigorous safety standards mandated for product tankers.
Constructed at Fujian Southeast Shipbuilding Ltd. and Wuhu Shipyard Co. Ltd. in China, these ships are optimized for navigation through the St. Lawrence Seaway and Great Lakes, USA, adhering to a maximum air draft of 35.5 meters as per charterer specifications.
“This is a significant milestone for Norsepower, as we continue to lead the way in sustainable shipping solutions,” said Heikki Pöntynen, CEO of Norsepower. “With this deal, we will be fitting a total of eight NPRS™ on four vessels in the short term, with an additional order book of eight sister ships to be prepared with foundations for later retrofit. This represents a major step forward in our mission to decarbonize the maritime industry.”
Mr. Bhuvnesh Dogra, Head of Technical at Union Maritime Limited, commented, “UML has been a leading proponent of wind propulsion, and it has become a key part of our propulsion energy optimization strategy. We are excited to partner with Norsepower to integrate their innovative products into our fleet, enhancing our sustainability efforts.”.
Bureau Veritas has classified these vessels with the notation “Wind Propulsion 2,” marking the second Norsepower order under BV’s regulations and the first under their updated rules for wind propulsion systems (2024 BV NR206).
Moreover, this deal signifies the standardization of NPRS™ construction, with a 4-meter diameter, entirely manufactured and assembled at Norsepower’s new Factory #002 in Dafeng, China, bolstering the factory’s production capacity.
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