In an exciting milestone for green shipping, the 400,000-DWT ore carrier "SOHAR MAX" has successfully docked at the No. 6 berth of Zhoushan COSCO Shipping Heavy Industry marking the beginning of its retrofit journey. Under the assistance of five tugboats, this colossal vessel, measuring 360 meters in length and 65 meters in width, will undergo the installation of five ANEMOI foldable marine rotor sails, along with a control system upgrade.

The "SOHAR MAX" is now the second vessel to be fitted with rotor sails at Zhoushan COSCO Shipping Heavy Industry this year, following the successful retrofit of the "Camellia Dream." Notably, it will also become the largest ore carrier in the world to be equipped with this cutting-edge technology.

Rotor sails are installed on the ship’s deck and utilize wind energy to generate auxiliary thrust. Comprising a rotating lightweight outer cylinder, an internal support tower, base, drive mechanism, and control system, they provide excellent energy savings, intelligent operation, and reliable safety.

The rotor sails being fitted on the "SOHAR MAX" boast advanced hydraulic folding and automatic adjustment systems, with an outer cylinder diameter of 5 meters, a top disc diameter of 9 meters, and an overall height of 37.8 meters—equivalent to a 12-story building. Each rotor weighs 135 tons, with a maximum rotational speed of 200 revolutions per minute. According to estimates, these sails will reduce the vessel’s annual energy consumption by 6%, equating to a reduction of 3,000 tons of CO₂ emissions, highlighting their impressive impact on energy conservation and emission reduction.

As the "SOHAR MAX" embarks on its rotor sail retrofit, Zhoushan COSCO Shipping Heavy Industry takes another solid step forward in the green ship repair and retrofit sector, continuing to contribute significantly to the advancement of global sustainable shipping.

by Xinde Marine News Chen Yang

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