By Angeline Khor
MANJUNG: Vale, one of the world’s leading mining companies, celebrated the maiden arrival of the retrofitted Berge Neblina, a 388,000-deadweight-ton (dwt) Valemax iron ore carrier, at its Teluk Rubiah Maritime Terminal (TRMT) in Lumut on 10 December.
As part of a collaboration with Singapore-based shipping firm Berge Bulk, the Berge Neblina was fitted with four advanced rotor sails designed and manufactured by UK-based Anemoi Marine Technologies.
These sails harness wind energy to reduce fuel consumption by over 1,000 tonnes annually and lower carbon emissions by up to 8%.
The towering cylindrical sails, each 35 meters high, provide additional forward thrust during voyages and are fitted with a folding system for easy docking.
Chief Executive Officer of Vale in Malaysia, Leonardo Paiva, highlighted that this milestone aligns with Vale’s 10th anniversary in the country, reflecting the company’s innovation in maritime transportation and dedication to sustainable, safe, and reliable operations.
“This achievement underscores our efforts to decarbonise iron ore transportation while reinforcing TRMT’s strategic role as a hub for Asia Pacific markets,” he added.
This rotor sail project is part of Vale’s Ecoshipping Programme, a research initiative aimed at modernising its fleet and meeting carbon reduction goals.
The effort supports Vale’s target of cutting Scope 3 emissions by 15% by 2035 in alignment with the Paris Agreement and International Maritime Organisation’s decarbonisation goals.
The Berge Neblina’s successful retrofitting highlights the potential for wind-assisted propulsion to significantly reduce the environmental impact of global shipping.
