The large ore carrier Camellia Dream. [Photo/WeChat ID: zjzsqdxq]

The large ore carrier Camellia Dream completed its maiden voyage to Ponta da Madeira, Brazil on Aug 20, after being fitted with a 35-meter-high foldable rotor sail by COSCO Shipping Heavy Industry Zhoushan Co in Zhoushan, Zhejiang province.

This is the first time a foldable rotor sail has been installed using a horizontal method in China, presenting unprecedented challenges in installation precision and operational skills. This achievement represents a significant breakthrough for Zhoushan in green ship repair and retrofitting.

The Camellia Dream is a 200,000-metric-ton bulk carrier designed to transport iron ore. It has an overall length of 299.94 meters, a beam of 50 meters, and a depth of 24.7 meters.

With the foldable rotor sail, the carrier can reduce main engine carbon emissions by 6 percent to 10 percent under various operating conditions, significantly enhancing the vessel's fuel efficiency. This provides an energy-efficient solution for the green and low-carbon transition of the shipping industry.

A rotor sail is an auxiliary propulsion device installed on a ship's deck that utilizes wind energy at sea to generate additional thrust. It is very energy-efficient, high-tech, and safe.

The design of the foldable rotor sail is more advanced, allowing it to adapt to different environmental and operational conditions, thus increasing energy utilization efficiency.