The shipping company from Hamburg will have six of its newbuilds, constructed by Nantong Xiangyu Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering, fitted with Norsepower Rotor Sails.
Each of the four 3,850-deadweight (dwt) chemical tankers will be equipped with one 20-metre-tall and 4.0-m-in-diameter rotor, while the two 7,900 dwt chemical carriers will get the 28-by-4.0 version.
All six rotors will feature Norsepower's EX-compliant design, certified for use on vessels transporting flammable cargoes.
GEFO will also have access to the Norsepower Digital Dimension, including the AI-powered Norsepower Sentient Control for real-time performance optimisation, predictive maintenance, and full transparency on emission savings.
The sails will be manufactured at Norsepower's site in China, delivered to the yard already tested, fully assembled, and installation-ready.
GEFO's newbuildings, designed by Ship Design & Consult, are scheduled for commissioning in 2026-28.
"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," underscored Henning Brauer, GEFO's Technical Director.
Heikki Pöntynen, CEO of Norsepower, added, "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."
He furthered, "And with access to the Norsepower Digital Dimension, including our AI-powered Norsepower Sentient Control and Norsepower Cloud, our customers are fully equipped to maximise the return on their investment from day one."
GEFO has received support for their new chemical tankers from the German Government's Namkue Fund, a financial instrument aimed at promoting sustainable coastal shipping and accelerating decarbonisation technologies.
Photo: Norsepower