Sohar Max: milestone or prettification?

Asyad Group is launching the huge freighter Sohar Max, which uses wind assistance, according to the shipowner “to achieve superior environmental efficiency. That includes up to 6% fuel reduction and at most 10% reduction in CO2 emissions.

The Omani-flagged ore carrier Sohar Max has a capacity of 400,000 tonnes, and will be equipped with five 35-metre-high Flettner rotors, which were developed in collaboration with Brazilian mining company Vale and Anemoi Marine Technologies. The rotor sails can be lowered during port manoeuvres or when navigating under low structures such as bridges. This provides operational flexibility and improves cargo handling efficiency and vessel performance under various maritime conditions. However, the savings from the installation remain well below the 15% currently considered feasible for many other wind-assisted ships.

Revolution

Nevertheless, Dr Ibrahim bin Bakheet Al Nadhairi, CEO of Asyad Shipping stated at the handover: “Today, we take a pioneering step toward building a sustainable future in maritime transport. The Sohar Max vessel presents a model of innovative solutions that contribute to supporting Oman in achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, minimizing environmental impact, and enhancing the efficiency of maritime operations. Wind propulsion technology is an opportunity to bring about a real revolution in the shipping sector, as it particularly supports sustainability efforts by reducing emissions and improving the operational performance of large vessels. This project is a true example of our commitment to sustainable innovation and milestone in our journey towards a maritime future that balances economic development and environmental preservation.”

Benchmark

The press release further states that the Sohar Max stands out as a technological benchmark that highlights Asyad Group’s role in fostering strategic partnerships and implementing the latest sustainable innovations. The vessel belongs to the “Vale Max” class, which is specially designed for high-capacity long-haul voyages, and is ideal for serving strategic trade routes between Brazil, China and the Middle East. ‘Applying rotor sail technology on these longer routes significantly reduces CO2 emissions, helping Asyad better meet International Maritime Organisation (IMO) standards and ambitious 2050 targets,’ the press release said.

Editor’s comment:

The texts accompanying the launch show that the companies involved have an inordinately high opinion of themselves. This is not supported by the facts: 6% fuel savings and up to 10% CO2 reduction in no way justifies the compliments paid to themselves, with words like ‘pioneering’, ‘revolution’ and ‘milestone’.

“Asyad Group is redefining excellence in sustainable logistics, thereby strengthening Oman’s position as a global leader in sustainability,” according to its own press release. This puts Asyad and Oman in a long line of companies and countries claiming global leadership in sustainability. It would be much more fitting to express themselves in a less gratuitous manner.

The ambition of the Asyad Group and Vale to operate more sustainably is highly commendable, but would be considerably more credible if the companies took a more modest approach. The introduction of the Sohar Max is, at best, a small step forward on a long road to emission- and fossil-free shipping.

Source: Portnews
Image: Asyad

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