Norsepower, a provider of wind propulsion systems, has signed an agreement to equip six newbuild tankers from GEFO Shipping Group with its Norsepower Rotor Sails.
The order includes four 3,850dwt chemical tankers, each fitted with a 20mx4m rotor sail, and two 7,900dwt chemical tankers, each equipped with a 28mx4m rotor sail.
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The vessels, designed by the German firm SDC Ship Design & Consult, have integrated wind propulsion from the initial design phase to maximise performance and efficiency.
Built by Nantong Xiangyu Shipbuilding, the vessels will be delivered between 2026 and 2028.
The vessels have received backing from the German Government’s Namkue Fund (Nachhaltige Modernisierung von Küstenschiffen), a financial initiative designed to promote sustainable coastal shipping and expedite the adoption of decarbonisation technologies.
The deal marks the first collaboration between Norsepower, GEFO, and Nantong Xiangyu Shipbuilding, signifying a move towards the adoption of wind propulsion in European-owned fleets, according to Norsepower.
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By GlobalDataGEFO technical director Ing. Henning Brauer said: “At GEFO, we are committed to building a future-ready fleet that meets the highest standards of environmental performance and operational efficiency.
“Partnering with Norsepower allows us to integrate proven wind propulsion technology into our newbuilds from day one — supporting both our sustainability targets and our long-term competitiveness.”
The rotor sails include Norsepower’s EX-compliance design, which has been certified for use on vessels carrying flammable cargoes and adheres to all classification and safety standards.
Manufactured in Norsepower’s dedicated factory in China, the rotor sails will be delivered to the shipyard fully assembled and tested, ready for installation.
Furthermore, GEFO will benefit from the Norsepower Digital Dimension, which offers access to the AI-driven Norsepower Sentient Control system and the secure, cloud-based data infrastructure of Norsepower Cloud.
This integration facilitates accurate real-time performance optimisation, predictive maintenance, and complete transparency regarding emissions savings for clients.
Norsepower CEO Heikki Pöntynen said: “This is a landmark agreement for Norsepower, not just because it involves two new customers and six vessels — but because it signals a fundamental shift in how wind propulsion is perceived in commercial shipping.
“We are no longer talking about one-off pilot installations; we are now securing full fleet commitments. That is a clear sign we have not only opened the market, but we are now leading it — both in terms of proven delivery capacity and customer trust.”
Recently, Norsepower signed a strategic memorandum of understanding (MoU) with COSCO Shipping Heavy Industry Equipment (Nantong) to boost the production and distribution of Norsepower Rotor Sails in China, leveraging the world’s first dedicated rotor sail factory in Dafeng.
Norsepower also announced the launch of Norsepower True Performance, a new platform for measuring and monitoring wind propulsion performance in maritime operations.
