Anemoi Marine Technologies Installs Rotor Sails on VLOC Sohar Max

Anemoi Marine Technologies has achieved a significant milestone by successfully installing five rotor sails on the 400,000 dwt Very Large Ore Carrier (VLOC) Sohar Max. This groundbreaking installation marks the largest vessel to date to be equipped with wind propulsion technology.

The VLOC Sohar Max, a first-generation Valemax vessel constructed in 2012 at China’s Rongsheng shipyard, is owned by Omani shipowner Asyad.

The retrofitting of the rotor sails onto the VLOC took place at the COSCO Zhoushan shipyard in China. In addition to the rotor sails, Anemoi also installed a folding deployment system that allows the sails to be folded from a vertical position, ensuring minimal impact on the vessel’s cargo handling operations.

With the rotor sails now in place, the VLOC is expected to achieve significant fuel savings of up to 6% and reduce carbon emissions by approximately 3,000 tonnes annually. The vessel recently completed a voyage to Tubarao, initiating the rotor sail test period, with further testing planned for upcoming voyages.

Anemoi has been at the forefront of developing innovative solutions for Vale’s vessels. In a notable development last year, Singapore-based owner Berge Bulk signed up the 2012-built 388,000 dwt Valemax vessel Berge Neblina for the installation of four folding rotor sails.

Building on this success, Vale has announced plans to install Anemoi’s rotor sails on another 400,000 dwt VLOC, NSU Tubarao, owned by NS United Kaiun Kaisha. The project is scheduled for completion by September 2025, further demonstrating the industry’s commitment to sustainable and eco-friendly shipping practices.