Rotor sails fitted on bulk carriers

Anemoi has received an order to fit two of Singapore dry bulk owner Berge Bulk’s vessels with its propulsion technology.

Rotor Sails are large mechanical sails that harness the renewable power of the wind to reduce emissions and fuel consumption on commercial ships when driven to spin. 

Berge Neblina, a 388,000 DWT Valemax ore carrier, which when built in 2012 was the largest ore carrier in the world, was adapted during a scheduled dry dock earlier this year.

Four folding Anemoi Rotor Sails were installed.

Berge Mulhacen, built five years later in 2017, is a 210,000 DWT bulk carrier and will also be fitted with four of the sails. 

“We’re committed to continuous innovation and exploring cleaner, greener energy sources,” said Paolo Tonon, Technical Director at Berge Bulk. ”Wind propulsion is an option we have explored previously in other formats, and we firmly believe it can help achieve our decarbonisation commitments. The partnership with Anemoi commenced with in-depth engineering simulations to find the best possible technical and commercial solution.”

For vessels to have the sails installed, they first need to have structural foundations prefabricated and installed, which has already been carried out for Berge Neblina. 

The firm says there is room for the equipment on deck, although some relocation of minor outfitting elements may be required, depending on the vessel and configuration of the sails.

The only integration required with the fuel systems is in recording data so that fuel savings can be monitored.

 Anemoi predicts that the four-rotor system will save Berge Bulk 1200-1500 metric tons of fuel per vessel each year.