Norsepower Rotor Sails To Be Installed In Low Emission ROROs For Airbus Cargo

Norsepower, a Finnish manufacturer, has announced that it has completed the most excellent order for rotor sails, contributing to the ongoing development of launching three huge Ro-Ro freight vessels for Airbus with the help of wind-aided propulsion.

The vessels that will operate under a charter for transporting airplane components were ordered the last month by Louis Dreyfus Armateurs (abbreviated the LDA) and will be constructed by Wuchang Shipbuilding of China. Norsepower has also confirmed that it has finalized the order for what will emerge as the most incredible installation of the rotors, using six rotors on the three vessels, supported by advanced technology. The design was previewed last year in October.

It incorporates six 35-meter tall rotors in three pairs on each vessel alongside two dual-fuel engines operating on marine diesel and e-methanol. By the year 2030, while sailing on the transatlantic channel, Norsepower reports that the Airbus fleet will generate about 50% fewer CO2 emissions than last year.

This fleet-wide agreement is path-breaking for the entire auxiliary wind propulsion sector, mentioned Tuomas Riski, the Norsepower CEO. First of all, it is the greatest deal so far in the mechanical sails market, and as a world first, it includes the brand’s new Norsepower Sentient Control tool.

A brand-new patented control system for rotors by Norsepower will provide more efficiency for the advanced wind propulsion system and real-time saving reports. The system will permit each rotor to be controlled individually while offering real-time control, force measurement, and saving reporting.

Norsepower explains that the new system will optimize efficiency by tackling the complicated aerodynamic interactions between the sails as well as the hydrodynamic behaviour of the vessel. The rotor sails use little electricity to rotate, which harnesses the wind to result in the propulsive force, which helps reduce fuel consumption, emissions, and the cost of operation.

The vessels’ full dimensions have not yet been announced. Still, they’ve said that each will be able to be loaded with almost 70 40-foot containers, and six aircraft subassembly sets that expand the cargo capacity of the Airbus. They further reported that extensive Computational Fluid Dynamics (abbreviated the CFD) and wind tunnel tests have also been carried out through the design phase to help optimize the sail arrangements and design.

They further plan for the vessels to enter service in 2026 and gradually phase out the firm’s existing fleet. Once e-methanol is available, they expect to reduce emissions further by adopting alternative fuels. The operations will be supported by advanced routing software to boost the vessels’ trip across the Atlantic. It will be programmed to increase wind propulsion and avoid drag owing to adverse ocean conditions.

Reference: LDA

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