LR inked a joint development project (JDP) with Anemoi Marine Technologies (Anemoi) and Shanghai Merchant Ship Design and Research Institute (SDARI) to develop a series of energy efficient vessel designs equipped with rotor sails.
Specifically, the project addresses the collaboration between original equipment manufacturer, designer, regulator and shipowner to agree a pathway for the commercial success of installed technology onboard vessels. Along with the installation of rotor sails, the vessels could also incorporate new hull forms, new energy management systems, a new powering arrangement and modified operational requirements.
Ship types
The partners’ proposals include 85,000 and 210,000 DWT bulk carriers, a 325,000 DWT very large ore carrier (VLOC), a 114,000 DWT aframax tanker, a 50,000 DWT MR tanker and a very large crude carrier (VLCC). LR will review the designs in accordance with the latest regulatory requirements and will ensure it meets LR’s Rules to issue an Approval in Principle (AiP).
The signing of the joint development agreement comes shortly after the 75th meeting of the International Maritime Organization’s MEPC which approved the short-term measures to reduce carbon intensity that are expected to enter into force in October 2022, but the short timeframe for compliance means many in the industry are starting to prepare now.
Referring to the project, Mark Darley, LR Marine & Offshore Chief Operating Officer, commented that as the need to decarbonise the shipping industry becomes more imminent, this JDP marks an important milestone in the journey that the industry is taking and further demonstrates LR’s commitment to accelerating this transition.
Concluding, Mr Wang Gang Yi, Chief Engineer, SDARI, stated that
Under the ambitious IMO 2030 and 2050 targets for marine decarbonisation, as a ship designer, we are very interested in any positive research to improve ship efficiency. This JDP will give us an opportunity to cooperate with the innovation supplier and Class.
