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New Sohar Max ship is named the world's largest wind-powered ship and promises to reduce up to 3 tons of CO2. Learn how the 400-ton wind-powered ship works.
The Sohar Max vessel is seen as an icon of innovation in sustainable shipping, bringing a new perspective to maritime transport. Equipped with imposing 35 meter high rotors, the wind-powered vessel uses cutting-edge technology to harness the potential of renewable energy. This approach highlights the world’s largest wind-powered vessel’s commitment to energy efficiency and marks a decisive step towards reducing carbon emissions, a key challenge for the shipping industry.
Sohar Max ship weighs 400 thousand tons
More than just a technological advancement, the wind-powered ship symbolizes the transformation of the maritime sector. Its proposal combines efficiency and sustainability, establishing new parameters for the future of cargo transportation. The combination of innovation and environmental responsibility makes it a milestone for global shipping.
In October 2024, the world’s largest wind-powered vessel, a 400-tonne ore carrier, became the center of a revolutionary experiment. Its deck was transformed into a test platform for five rotor sails, cylindrical structures developed by the British company Anemoi.
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These turbosails on the Sohar Max ship use the Magnus effect, a physical phenomenon that generates additional thrust when rotating, significantly reducing fuel consumption. Built in 2012 in China and belonging to the Valemax ships, the wind-powered ship was designed for energy efficiency. Under the leadership of Brazilian mining company Vale, it underwent modernization at a Chinese shipyard to accommodate this innovative technology.
World's largest wind-powered ship reduces up to 3 tons of CO2
The initial tests, carried out on a voyage between China and Brazil, were a success. The rotor sails on the Sohar Max ship demonstrated their effectiveness, allowing for an annual saving of 6% in fuel consumption. This translates into 3 tons less CO2 in the atmosphere, a significant environmental impact for a historically polluting sector.
The adoption of wind-powered ship rotor sails is part of Vale's Ecoshipping program, which aims to reduce the carbon footprint of its fleet. The success of this experiment has already boosted plans to equip another ore carrier, the NSU Tubarão, by 2025.
International regulations such as the CII classification and the EEXI index have encouraged the use of technologies that reduce emissions. Compact and efficient rotor sails complement traditional propulsion systems and meet sustainability demands. In addition, the retractable functionality of these turbosails on the world’s largest wind-powered vessel ensures that cargo capacity and port operations remain unaffected.
How do the sails on the Sohar Max ship work?
The partners in the wind-powered vessel project, including Omani owner Asyad, see these sails as a viable solution for large vessels. Anemoi experts are confident that the data collected from the world’s largest wind-powered vessel will help to improve this technology, paving the way for a significant transformation in shipping.
Rotor sails, also known as Flettner rotors, operate in a unique way. Using the Magnus effect, these turbosails capture the wind as they rotate, creating thrust that reduces fuel requirements. Their compactness is an added advantage, as they take up little deck space and can be stowed to facilitate port operations.
With benefits such as cost and emissions reductions, the equipment also helps shipowners comply with stringent international emissions regulations. The use of these sails on the Sohar Max vessel demonstrates that innovation can align operational efficiency with environmental commitment.
