Norsepower, a leading provider of wind propulsion systems, has recently inked a deal to outfit six new tankers from GEFO Shipping Group with its innovative Norsepower Rotor Sails. The agreement includes four 3,850dwt chemical tankers, each to be equipped with a 20mx4m rotor sail, as well as two 7,900dwt chemical tankers, each featuring a larger 28mx4m rotor sail.
These vessels, designed by SDC Ship Design & Consult in Germany, have been meticulously planned to incorporate wind propulsion from the initial design phase to optimize performance and efficiency. Constructed by Nantong Xiangyu Shipbuilding, the tankers are scheduled for delivery between 2026 and 2028.
The German Government’s Namkue Fund, aimed at promoting sustainable coastal shipping and accelerating the adoption of decarbonization technologies, has shown support for these vessels. This collaboration between Norsepower, GEFO, and Nantong Xiangyu Shipbuilding represents a significant step towards the integration of wind propulsion in European-owned fleets.
GEFO’s technical director, Ing. Henning Brauer, emphasized the company’s commitment to building a future-ready fleet that meets the highest standards of environmental performance and operational efficiency. Partnering with Norsepower enables GEFO to incorporate proven wind propulsion technology into their newbuilds right from the start, aligning with sustainability goals and enhancing long-term competitiveness.
The rotor sails utilized in these tankers feature Norsepower’s EX-compliance design, certified for use on vessels carrying flammable cargoes and compliant with all classification and safety standards. Manufactured at Norsepower’s dedicated factory in China, the rotor sails will be delivered fully assembled and tested for seamless installation at the shipyard.
Additionally, GEFO will benefit from the Norsepower Digital Dimension, which provides access to the AI-driven Norsepower Sentient Control system and the secure, cloud-based data infrastructure of Norsepower Cloud. This integration enables accurate real-time performance optimization, predictive maintenance, and full transparency regarding emissions savings for clients.
Norsepower CEO, Heikki Pöntynen, highlighted the significance of this agreement as a pivotal moment for the company, showcasing a shift towards full fleet commitments in wind propulsion adoption. This milestone reflects Norsepower’s leadership in the market, demonstrating proven delivery capacity and customer trust.
In a related development, Norsepower recently signed a strategic memorandum of understanding with COSCO Shipping Heavy Industry Equipment (Nantong) to enhance the production and distribution of Norsepower Rotor Sails in China, leveraging the world’s first dedicated rotor sail factory in Dafeng. The company also introduced Norsepower True Performance, a new platform for measuring and monitoring wind propulsion performance in maritime operations.
This article, “Norsepower to equip six GEFO newbuild tankers with rotor sails,” was originally published by Ship Technology, a GlobalData owned brand.
