Norsepower, the leading provider of mechanical sails for large vessels, has closed a new deal with Union Maritime Limited (UML) to equip its fleet of new product tankers with Norsepower Rotor Sails™ (NPRS™). The agreement includes supply contracts for a total of four newbuild ships fitted with rotor sails, to be constructed in China at Fujian Southeast Shipbuilding Ltd. and at Wuhu Shipyard Co. Ltd. A further eight vessels will also be rotor sail ready for easy retrofitting in future.
The vessels, designed by Shanghai Odely Marine Engineering Co., Ltd., will be chemical tankers with a capacity of 18,500 deadweight tons (dwt). Each ship will be fitted with two NPRS™, featuring Norsepower’s proprietary explosion-protection design to meet the stringent safety standards required for product tankers.
The ships are specifically designed for navigation through the St. Lawrence Seaway and Great Lakes, USA, with an air draft limited to 35.5 meters as per charterer requirements.
“This is a significant milestone for Norsepower, as we continue to lead the way in sustainable shipping solutions,” said Heikki Pöntynen, CEO of Norsepower. “With this deal, we will be fitting a total of eight NPRS™ on four vessels in the short term, with an additional orderbook of eight sister ships to be prepared with foundations for later retrofit. This represents a major step forward in our mission to decarbonize the maritime industry.”
Mr. Bhuvnesh Dogra, Head of Technical at Union Maritime Limited, commented, “UML has been a leading proponent of wind propulsion, and it has become a key part of our propulsion energy optimization strategy. We are excited to partner with Norsepower to integrate their innovative products into our fleet, enhancing our sustainability efforts.”
Classified by Bureau Veritas with the class notation “Wind Propulsion 2,” this deal marks the second Norsepower order supplied, according to BV rules, and the first according to the classification society’s brand-new rules for wind propulsion systems (2024 BV NR206).
This deal also signifies the serialization of the construction of NPRS™ with a diameter of 4 meters, fully manufactured and assembled at Norsepower’s new Factory #002 in Dafeng, China, solidifying the new factory’s increased delivery capacity.