Anemoi Marine installs Rotor Sails on Vale’s Sohar Max VLOC

Rotor Sails Installed on Sohar Max to Reduce Emissions

Anemoi Marine Technologies has successfully installed rotor sails on the Sohar Max, one of the world’s largest ore carriers. This vessel, owned by Brazilian mining giant Vale and Omani shipowner Asyad, now leads the way in reducing carbon emissions in maritime transport.

The retrofit took place at the COSCO Zhoushan shipyard in China in October 2024. The Sohar Max is now equipped with five towering rotor sails, each standing 35 meters tall. These sails are designed to improve fuel efficiency and reduce environmental impact, marking a major milestone in green shipping.

How Rotor Sails Work and Their Benefits

Rotor sails use wind energy to assist in moving the ship. By reducing the need for traditional fuel, these sails can cut fuel consumption by up to 6%. For the Sohar Max, this means saving around 3,000 tons of carbon emissions every year.

Anemoi Marine Technologies also introduced a folding deployment system for the rotor sails. This allows the sails to fold away during cargo loading and unloading, ensuring that the ship’s operations remain smooth.

Nick Contopoulos, Chief Production and Partnerships Officer at Anemoi, shared his excitement about this breakthrough. He said, “This is a landmark project for wind propulsion and demonstrates the huge potential wind energy has, even for the largest ships.”

Testing the Technology on the Sohar Max

The Sohar Max is already on its way to Tubarao, Brazil, where the rotor sails will undergo real-world testing. These tests will continue during the ship’s regular operations, helping evaluate how well the sails perform under different conditions.

This project not only highlights the potential of wind-assisted propulsion but also represents a shift toward greener practices in the shipping industry.

Sohar Port aims to enhance sustainability practices through AFID membership

Vale’s Dedication to Sustainable Shipping

Vale has long been committed to reducing emissions in its shipping operations. Since 2010, the company has prioritized using high-efficiency ships and innovative technologies. The installation of rotor sails aligns perfectly with their decarbonization strategy.

Rodrigo Bermelho, Vale’s shipping director, said, “This project shows Vale’s commitment to innovation and modernizing its fleet to reduce emissions, in partnership with shipowners.”

In line with these goals, Vale plans to equip another ore carrier, the NSU Tubarao, with rotor sails by September 2025. This second installation will further reduce emissions and reinforce Vale’s leadership in sustainable shipping.

A Growing Trend in the Maritime Industry

The adoption of rotor sails is gaining momentum across the shipping industry. Other companies, such as Norsepower, are also investing in wind propulsion technologies. Norsepower has even set up a new factory in Dafeng, China, to produce rotor sails on a larger scale.

As the maritime sector faces increasing pressure to reduce its carbon footprint, innovations like rotor sails are proving to be effective solutions. These technologies not only lower emissions but also enhance fuel efficiency, making them essential for the future of shipping.

Looking Ahead

The successful installation of rotor sails on the Sohar Max is just the beginning. With more vessels adopting wind-assisted propulsion, the maritime industry is taking a significant step toward sustainability.

By investing in green technologies, companies like Anemoi and Vale are leading the charge for a cleaner, more efficient future. These efforts are not just about reducing emissions—they’re about ensuring the long-term health of our planet.