Vale Partners With Asyad To Launch World’s Largest Wind-Powered Ore Carrier

Global mining giant Vale and Omani shipowner Asyad have agreed to install state-of-the-art rotor sails on board the world’s largest ore carrier, the Valemax.

With an impressive length of 362 meters and a width of 65 meters, the Valemax can carry up to 400,000 metric tons of cargo.

British manufacturer Anemoi has developed wind propulsion technology that will be incorporated into the vessel through adaptation work.

The Valemax will be the largest ship with a wind propulsion system due to the rotor sails five cylindrical structures measuring about 35 meters in height and 5 meters in diameter.

This invention, a component of the Ecoshipping program that Vale’s shipping division started, intends to improve energy efficiency and cut emissions dramatically.

The goal is to finish the adaptation process by the second quarter of 2024, after which trial runs will be conducted to evaluate the technology’s practicality.

Efficiency gains of up to 6% are anticipated from the rotor sails’ expanded windage area compared to those on Guaibamax ships with a capacity of 325,000 tons.

It is also projected that this implementation will reduce CO2 equivalent emissions by up to 3,000 tons per ship annually, consistent with Vale’s pledge to reduce carbon emissions in line with the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) goals.

This partnership with Asyad is the sixth and last agreement made under the Ecoshipping program, which tests cutting-edge technologies on four ships that Vale has chartered.

In the past, efforts have included integrating hydrodynamic devices to improve propulsion, installing frequency inverters to save electricity consumption, and applying silicone paint to minimise resistance. All vessels have real-time data collection systems to track how well these technologies work.

The shipping technical manager at Vale, Rodrigo Bermelho, highlighted the strategic importance of wind energy in decarbonising iron ore transportation by sea.

He emphasised that the knowledge acquired from these Ecoshipping pilot programs will provide critical information for the creation of the upcoming Guaibamax ship generation.

The continuous endeavours highlight Vale’s dedication to adopting state-of-the-art technologies and promoting environmentally friendly practices in the maritime sector.

Reference- Vale

Vale Partners With Asyad To Launch World’s Largest Wind-Powered Ore Carrier appeared first on Marine Insight – The Maritime Industry Guide

Source: Maritime Shipping News