Lloyd’s Register has granted approval in principle (AIP) for an Oldendorff Carriers-owned 210,000 DWT Newcastlemax bulk carrier fitted with Anemoi rotor sails. The rotor sails are expected to reduce the EEDI score by 29 per cent.
Rotor Sails are modern mechanical sails comprised of tall cylinders which, when driven to spin, harness the renewable power of the wind to provide auxiliary propulsion to vessels and can reduce overall fuel consumption and lower harmful emissions by 5-30 per cent.
The Newcastlemax AIP is part of a joint development project (JDP), signed in 2020, with Anemoi Marine Technologies, Lloyd’s Register, and the Shanghai Merchant Ship Design and Research Institute (SDARI) to develop a series of energy-efficient vessel designs equipped with Rotor Sails.
The AIP covers the structural integration for a ship design with six 5x30m Rotor Sails and Anemoi’s Rail Deployment System, which sees the Rotor Sails move transversely across the deck to avoid inference with cargo handling; and the structural integration for a ship design with four of Anemoi’s folding (tilting) 5x35m Rotor Sails
Lloyd’s Register has assessed the calculation used to estimate the impact the Rotor Sails will have on the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) and validated that the newbuild Newcastlemax would have its EEDI score reduced from 1.92 to 1.37 (29 per cent reduction) by installing six 5x30m Rail Rotor Sails and 1.47 (23 per cent reduction) by installing four 5x35m Folding Rotor Sails.
“This has been an important project as part of Oldendorff Carriers’ commitment towards Getting to Zero. The results have demonstrated the impressive impact Rotor Sails have on regulatory obligations, which is a key consideration, in addition to the emission reduction benefits. We will continue our assessment of Anemoi’s technology for our fleet,” said Torsten Barenthin, director of innovation at Oldendorff Carriers.
Mark Darley, global marine and offshore director at Lloyds Register said: “LR is committed to working together for a safe, sustainable and thriving ocean economy. The fitting of Rotor Sails on this bulk carrier, as part of our JDP with Anemoi, SDARI and Oldendorff Carriers, will considerably improve the vessel’s efficiency and is a clear example of how energy saving devices can support the maritime industry with impending EEXI and CII regulations.”
Other vessels included in the JDP and to follow are an 85,000 DWT Bulk Carrier, a very large ore carrier (VLOC), a 114,000 DWT Aframax tanker, a 50,000 DWT MR tanker and a very large crude carrier (VLCC).
