Norsepower, a leader in wind propulsion technology, has reached a historic agreement with Idemitsu Tanker Co., Ltd., the shipping arm of Idemitsu Kosan, to equip two Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs) with the innovative Norsepower Rotor Sail™. This marks the first-ever installation of rotor sails on VLCCs. The vessels, to be constructed by Japan Marine United Corporation (JMU) and Nihon Shipyard Co., Ltd. (NSY), will each be fitted with two 35×5 meter, explosion-proof Norsepower Rotor Sails™. The first of these groundbreaking ships is expected to be delivered by the end of 2028.
This partnership reflects Idemitsu Tanker‘s commitment to advancing sustainable energy transport and reducing emissions. Designed with the latest energy-saving technologies, these VLCCs are also prepared to use low-carbon fuels such as methanol in the future. The integration of Norsepower’s Rotor Sails is expected to significantly reduce fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. This will directly contribute to the decarbonisation of the global shipping industry.
In a statement, Idemitsu Tanker highlighted their dedication to reducing environmental impact. “By equipping our VLCCs with the Norsepower Rotor Sail™, we will not only improve fuel efficiency and cut emissions but also take a crucial step toward the decarbonization of long-haul shipping,” they said. “This project reflects our philosophy of combining reliable energy transport with cutting-edge technologies to responsibly meet global energy needs.”
This landmark agreement underscores the increasing role of wind propulsion in the tanker industry and strengthens Norsepower‘s leadership in this area. The company has already installed Rotor Sails on a variety of tanker types, including chemical tankers, LCO₂ carriers, and smaller tankers, and now, for the first time, it will add them to VLCCs.
Heikki Pöntynen, CEO of Norsepower, emphasized the significance of this development: “This is a defining moment for Norsepower and for wind propulsion in global shipping. Partnering with Idemitsu Tanker and JMU on the first VLCCs with Rotor Sails, especially as our first newbuild project in Japan, is a major step forward. Japan has already become our largest market for Norsepower projects, and this collaboration reflects the confidence in our technology across all tanker segments.”
The Norsepower Rotor Sail™ is a modernized version of the Flettner rotor, a spinning cylinder that uses the Magnus Effect to capture wind power and provide clean propulsion. Each system is equipped with advanced digital control technology that optimizes performance in real time, ensuring maximum efficiency under varying operational conditions. By reducing the reliance on engine power, the Rotor Sail™ lowers both fuel consumption and emissions. Depending on wind conditions, vessel operations, and routing, Rotor Sails can reduce fuel usage by 5% to 25%, with even higher savings when conditions are favorable.
