Norwegian Shipowner Sea-Cargo to Retrofit RoRo Ships for Sustainable Future

Norwegian shipowner Sea-Cargo has decided to remodel two of its roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) ships in an effort to achieve a reduction of up to 50% in fossil fuel consumption.

The two 165-meter vessels in question are Misida and Misana, which operate mainly between Norway and continental Europe.

The transformation will focus on sustainability initiatives and technological upgrades, planned to be performed in the summer of 2025.

As informed, the retrofit will include:

• 3 new 24x4m rotor sails from Finnish cleantech company Norsepower, harnessing wind energy for the production of additional clean power;
• New optimized propellers from Kongsberg, designed for a 14-knot speed to improve fuel efficiency;
• NoX scrubber by Pureteq, significantly lowering air emissions;
• Major upgrade to machinery & control systems from Wärtsilä, including advanced energy-saving features and bridge equipment to compensate blind sectors;
• Covered weather deck, increasing under-deck capacity;
• Solar panels – 1,600-square meter solar panels installed on the weather deck cover;
• Battery and frequency converter systems from NES, featuring an energy pack with shore power and peak shaving;
• New power management system from Smart Automation, integrating the rotor sail and battery technology for optimal energy efficiency.

Sea-Cargo revealed that the vessels will be renamed Trans Hav and Trans Sol, reflecting the commitment of Sea-Cargo’s parent company, Seatrans Group, to sustainable innovation.

Misida and Misana have been in the Sea-Cargo system sailing from the West coast of Norway to the Continent since 2020 and will continue this after the rebuild planned at the Western Shipyard in Klaipeda in Q2 and Q3 this year.

The new ship designs are done by Marine Design & Consulting, with project engineering by Western Baltic Engineering and Naval Tec, Sea-Cargo said.

“The integration of wind-assisted propulsion, battery storage, optimized energy management, and solar power significantly reduces emissions and fuel consumption, aligning with Sea-Cargo’s commitment to a greener maritime industry,” the company added.

In related news, Sea-Cargo already installed rotor sails and a battery pack onboard the SC Connector, which received the title of ‘Norway’s largest sailing vessel’ back in 2020.

According to Norsepower, SC Connector has demonstrated average savings of 20–25% over several years, and up to 70% on individual voyages.

“Our experience with the SC Connector has demonstrated the substantial savings and environmental benefits Norsepower Rotor Sails can deliver. These results made it an easy decision to extend the technology to MV Trans Hav and MV Trans Sol. With tightening EU regulations, the rotor sails not only enhance performance but also help us remain ahead of compliance demands,” Johan Christian Hvide, CTO of Seatrans, commented.