Four-year-old NSU Valemax to get five Anemoi wind sails

NS United Kaiun Kaisha (NSU) has agreed to install five of Anemoi’s largest 35 metre tall rotor sails on NSU Tubarao, a 2020-built VLOC which has been chartered to Vale International since its delivery.

In September 2025, the 361 metre long vessel will have five rotor sails installed on the deck, offset between the hatches, in a bid to reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. NSU said the wind assisted propulsion system is expected to reduce fuel consumption and therefore CO2, NOx and SOx emissions, by between 6% and 12%.

One of a number of wind propulsion technologies gaining traction in commercial shipping, rotor sails are an updated version of Flettner Rotors, and work by using a small amount of power to rotate a cylinder, yielding much greater propulsion returns from the aerodynamic effect of the pressure difference created by the movement.

The sails will be able to fold down onto the deck within minutes to address any air draft concerns and allow port cranes easier access to the holds for cargo operations, Anemoi claims.

NSU said the agreement was the latest example of efforts to make its fleet more efficient and reduce the company’s GHG emissions through installing energy saving devices and exploring next-generation fuels.

While Vale does not own the vessel, its emissions fall under its scope 3 emissions as part of the company’s value chain. The commodities giant has set a 2035 target of cutting scope 3 emissions by 15% by, led in maritime transport by its Ecoshipping R&D programme.

Related:MOL to build world’s first wind assisted LNG carrier

Wind assisted propulsion installations and agreements have increased in recent months as various technologies mature beyond the trial phase, proving their emissions and cost savings on a range of vessel types. MOL said it will deliver the world’s first LNG carrier with wind assisted propulsion, and BAR Technologies signed a 34-ship deal for its rigid sail technology earlier this year.