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Equipped with unprecedented technology, the largest mineral carrier in the world, measuring 362 meters long and with a capacity for 400 thousand tons, promises to reduce emissions and save fuel using the power of the wind.
Vale, in partnership with the shipping company Asyad, took a major step towards sustainability by installing rotary sails on the Sohar Max, a Valemax ship measuring an impressive 362 meters in length and with a capacity for 400 tons.
This innovation is not only a technological milestone, but also a promise to reduce carbon emissions in maritime transport, one of the industry's biggest challenges. Let's explore how this technology works and what impacts it can generate.
The pioneering project on the Sohar Max ship
The Sohar Max is no ordinary vessel. With its colossal dimensions and high efficiency, it already stood out in the industry. Now, equipped with five rotating sails developed by Anemoi Marine Technologies, it marks the beginning of a new era. Each sail, measuring 35 meters in height and 5 meters in diameter, is designed to harness the wind and reduce fuel consumption.
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These spark plugs were installed in China in October and have already begun testing. The expectation is ambitious: to achieve 6% greater efficiency and reduce up to 3 tons of CO₂ per year. This is equivalent to taking hundreds of cars off the road!
How Rotary Sails Work in Maritime Transport
Rotary sails use the Magnus effect, a phenomenon you’ve probably seen when kicking a curved ball in soccer. When the cylinders rotate, they create a pressure difference that propels the ship forward. This simple and ingenious trick reduces the engine’s power requirements, saving fuel without compromising voyage time.
Favorable wind conditions make this technology a natural ally of sustainability. Less fuel consumption means fewer pollutant gas emissions, a benefit for both the environment and business operations.
Vale's initiatives for decarbonization
The Sohar Max project is not an isolated case. Since 2010, Vale has invested in technologies that make its ships more efficient. In addition to rotary sails, the company also supports initiatives such as silicone paints to reduce resistance and hydrodynamic devices to improve propulsion.
These efforts are part of the Ecoshipping program, a Vale research and development platform focused on low-carbon solutions in maritime transport. With goals aligned with the guidelines of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Vale seeks to be a global reference in sustainable shipping.
The global impact of the project on Sohar Max
The rotary sail test on the world’s largest ore carrier is a milestone not only for Vale, but for the entire maritime industry. If the results are positive, this technology could be replicated on a large scale, accelerating the transition to a greener fleet.
Brazil, with its strategic position and involvement in innovative projects, reaffirms its relevance on the global stage. The Port of Tubarão, where the Sohar Max docked, becomes a symbol of how technology and sustainability can go hand in hand.
Vale's investment in wind energy on the Sohar Max demonstrates that the future of navigation has already begun. combination of innovation and commitment environmental is the way to transform maritime transport, making it more efficient and less polluting.
