MITSUI OSK Lines has announced an agreement with iron ore mining company Vale International SA to conduct a joint study on installation of a wind propulsion system known as Rotor Sail on a 200,000-tonne class in-service bulk carrier, which mainly transports iron ore for steel production.
The goal of the study is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the vessel while underway.
Rotor Sails are tall cylindrical sails that can be installed on the deck of commercial vessels. They make use of the aerodynamic phenomenon known as the Magnus Effect. As the cylinder rotates within an airflow, a forward thrust force perpendicular to the apparent wind direction is created, which delivers additional thrust to the vessel. The thrust generated can either provide additional vessel speed or maintain vessel speed by reducing power from the main engine.
The joint study team will examine and verify the number of Rotor Sails to be installed and the effect of GHG reduction, working closely with Anemoi Marine Technologies, the manufacturer of the Rotor Sails.
Anemoi, based in the UK, installed the world’s first Rotor Sail on a newbuild ultramax bulk carrier in 2018.
The MOL Group is implementing five initiatives to realise the mid-to-long-term targets set out in the MOL Group Environmental Vision 2.1, with the ultimate goal of achieving net zero GHG emissions by 2050.
