Tanker ships with wind sails may soon be a familiar sight on the seas. The Sohar Max, a massive 400,000-deadweight-ton vessel, has recently been fitted with five 35-meter rotor sails at China’s COSCO Zhoushan shipyard. The new technology aims to reduce fuel consumption by 6% and lower the ship’s annual carbon emissions by 3,000 tons, according to Bloomberg.
The shipping industry is facing increasing pressure to reduce emissions, and rotor sails, although still rare, are seen as a potential solution. The adoption of wind technologies, including rotor sails, is largely driven by the potential for cost savings. This trend may become more widespread as shipping companies shift from oil to more expensive, environmentally-friendly marine fuels.
Nick Contopoulos, Chief Production and Partnerships Officer at Anemoi Marine Technologies, noted that the use of wind propulsion is gaining momentum. “There’s definitely an uptick in the adoption of wind propulsion, not just rotor sails but other technologies too,” he said.
The push for cleaner shipping is also seen in places like California. The state has expanded its emissions regulations, which will affect vessels in its ports. Starting January 1, 2025, California will impose stricter emissions rules on a wider range of ships, including Ro-Ro and tanker vessels. These vessels must reduce emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx), fine particulate matter (PM 2.5), and reactive organic gases. They can do this by connecting to onshore power, using approved exhaust capture systems, contributing to a remediation fund, or adopting alternative fuels.
The regulations will first apply to the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach in 2025, and by 2027, all California terminals will be subject to these stricter standards.
Most other global emissions standards are set by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). These rules require ships operating in designated Emission Control Areas (ECAs) to follow stricter sulfur fuel limits and engine emission standards.
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