Norsepower Rotor Sails Installed On A Very Large Gas Carrier To Cut Emissions By 4%

Norsepower has installed its Rotor Sails on the Oceanus Aurora, a large gas carrier operated by IINO Kaiun Kaisha (IINO LINES) and chartered by Borealis in Rotterdam in early November 2024.

The Oceanus Aurora now features two Norsepower Rotor Sails, each 20 meters tall and 4 meters wide. These sails use wind power to help the ship’s engines, reducing fuel use and cutting down on CO₂ emissions.

The sails spin with a small amount of electricity, creating thrust using the Magnus effect, a natural phenomenon that generates extra power from wind.

Norsepower estimates that the Rotor Sails will reduce the Oceanus Aurora’s fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions by about 4%.

Borealis, known for its commitment to sustainability in polyolefins and recycling, said that these Rotor Sails are essential to reduce emissions and make transportation more eco-friendly.

IINO Lines also discussed the importance of adopting new technologies for cleaner shipping. The company’s director, Seiichi Fujimura, added that sustainable shipping is a priority, and partnering with Norsepower and Borealis supports their efforts to reduce their environmental impact.

The Oceanus Aurora, delivered in March 2023 from Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (now Hanwha Ocean), was designed with the foundations for wind propulsion. This proactive approach shows the shipping industry’s growing focus on cleaner technologies.

Norsepower has been leading the way in wind-assisted propulsion. With 28 Rotor Sails already in use across 15 vessels, the company is set to install 34 more sails on 13 ships in the next 18 months.

Meanwhile, companies like Samsung Heavy Industries are also working on wind-assisted propulsion. Samsung recently received approval for a new design using wing sails for LNG carriers, which will further improve fuel efficiency and cut emissions.

More shipping companies, including Mitsui O.S.K., Chevron Shipping, and Oshima Shipbuilding, plan to use wind power on gas carriers.

Reference: Norsepower