Brazilian mining giant Vale SA announced on Thursday that it will install rotor sail systems on at least 20 very large ore carriers over the next three years. The wind-assisted propulsion technology is expected to cut fuel consumption, reducing the company’s reliance on fossil fuels and lowering carbon emissions.
As a key component of Vale’s “Eco Shipping Program,” the company began testing rotor sail technology on iron ore transport vessels in 2021. Multiple ships, including 400,000-ton Valemax and 325,000-ton Guaibamax vessels, have already completed technical validation. Test results indicate that the technology can improve energy efficiency by approximately 6% to 8%, with each ship potentially reducing CO₂ emissions by up to 3,400 tons annually.
Vale’s shipping operations head stated, “Decarbonization has become an irreversible trend and a core element of our corporate strategy.” The company aims to reduce Scope 3 emissions by 15% by 2035 and achieve net-zero emissions for Scope 1 and Scope 2 by 2050.
The company has also made significant progress in its multi-fuel strategy. In early April 2026, Vale signed a 25-year charter agreement with China’s Shandong Shipping for the construction of the world’s first ocean-going vessels primarily powered by ethanol. Two 325,000-ton Guaibamax ships will feature a tri-fuel system capable of running on ethanol, methanol, and conventional fuel oil, along with five rotor sails each. These vessels are scheduled for delivery starting in 2029 and are projected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 90%.
He emphasized that Vale’s pioneering efforts in shipping decarbonization follow a strategy focused on “flexibility and efficiency.” By combining alternative fuels like ethanol with wind-assisted propulsion, the company has positioned itself uniquely in the global shipping industry’s decades-long energy transition while encouraging similar initiatives across the sector.
Comments