M/V Afros - The world's first rotor sail bulk carrier

Overview

64,000DWT Geared Ultramax Bulk Carrier (operating globally)
Yard: Jiangsu Haitong Offshore Engineering Equipment
Ship Design: SDARI (Shanghai Merchant Ship
Design and Research Institute)
Class: Lloyd’s Register
Client: Blue Planet Shipping
Delivered in January 2018

Approach

4 Rotor Sails (2m x 16m) were installed
Each Rotor Sail was installed with Anemoi patented Rail
Deployment Systems to ensure they could be easily moved prior to commencing port operations
Mobilisation of global supply chain and full stakeholder engagement, including management of the Class approval process
Limited available deck space on the vessel required an innovative approach to Rotor Sail placement and Deployment System integration
Rotor Sails were successfully installed, avoiding clashes with deck out-fittings, ship cranes, hatch covers, shore cranes and loaders
All Rotor Sails are automated and controlled from the Bridge Control Unit (BCU)
Installation of equipment was achieved in less than 2 hours per unit

Results

518

Days at sea

174,000

Distance Sailed (NM)

9,000

Longest Voyage (NM)

50

Ports visited

Estimated Savings

Based on wind data during November 2019 to January 2020 while the ship was sailing on one of its regular routes, Nantong to Vancouver and back, the estimated savings for the m/v Afros were 12.5% (reduction of 73 tonnes of fuel and 235 tonnes of CO2).

These savings and the sea testing performance are under evaluation by a 3rd party organisation for validation.

Since installation, routine maintenance requirements have been minimal (see below) and spare parts have been limited to consumables such as lubricants.