Each of the Norwegian shipping line's two general cargo vessels, to be constructed by Jiangsu SOHO Marine Heavy Industry, will house a pair of 24-metre-tall and 4.0-metre-in-diameter Rotor Sails from the Helsinki-based manufacturer of auxiliary wind propulsion.

The first 130-metre-long ship, designed by Marine Design and Consulting (MDC), is set for launching by end-2025.

The sister vessels will also feature battery packs and shaft generators.

"This project was designed for the extreme conditions of the Northern Sea, and we are proud that Berge Rederi chose Norsepower as their partner. Our product has been in use in tough sea conditions for more than a decade now, which enables us to create these kinds of partnerships with innovative, market leading companies. By working with Berge Rederi and MDC from the design phase, we've ensured that these vessels will set a new benchmark for sustainability and efficiency in their class," commented Marcus Sannholm, Head of Sales at Norsepower.

Owner of Berge Rederi, Magne Berge, added, "We are excited to partner with Norsepower and MDC on this transformative project. The combination of hybrid propulsion and Norsepower Rotor Sails aligns perfectly with our mission to minimise our environmental footprint while maintaining the highest standards of operational efficiency."

Photo (upscaled): Norsepower