DNV approves Chinese design for 35-metre tilting rotorsail

DNV has granted a Type Approval Design Certificate (TADC) to CSSC Shanghai Marine Energy Saving Technology Co., Ltd. (CMES-Tech) for its new 5m × 35m Tilting Type Wind Assisted Rotor System. This is the first domestically developed rotor sail system in China to achieve this recognition under DNV’s WAPS rules (ST-0511).

With this certification, presented formally at Marintec China this week, the system is confirmed ready for installation on DNV classed commercial vessels and marks a major milestone for China’s green-shipping technology industry.

The CMES-Tech tiltable rotor system features a retractable and adjustable design, enabling the rotor to adapt to varying draft and clearance conditions, and retract during cargo operations to avoid interference with deck/hatch operations or port infrastructure. The system also integrates intelligent sensing and automatic control to adjust rotor operation based on real-time wind conditions, maximizing wind propulsion efficiency, while maintaining safety.

Dr. Huang Guofu, General Manager of CMES-Tech, said: “Receiving the DNV TADC is a landmark for China’s green-shipping industry and a strong validation of our design’s maturity, structural integrity and operational practicality. It demonstrates that our 5 m × 35 m tilting rotor design meets the highest classification and validates our commitment to driving maritime efficiency. We look forward to working with DNV as we continue to innovate and deliver solutions that can deliver economic and environmental value to shipowners worldwide.”

Mr. Chen Keng, DNV Vice President and Area Manager China South, said: “With increasing demand for energy-efficient and emission-reduction solutions, WAPS technologies offer immediate, tangible benefits to shipowners. The awarding of this TADC to CMES-Tech means we add another option to the growing portfolio of WAPS systems that have been assessed to the industry’s leading rule set, building further confidence in their readiness for real-world use. We congratulate CMES-Tech on this achievement, which underscores our strong collaboration on enabling the broader deployment new energy enhancing technologies.”

The rotor sail prototype has also successfully passed a rigorous 120% overload structural test, demonstrating its robustness under extreme load conditions. Looking ahead, CMES-Tech will proceed with detailed installation planning and sea-trials to validate the in-service performance of the new system.

Separately at Marintec China, DNV awarded an Approval in Principle (AiP) to the joint consortium of MSC, Zhoushan Changhong International and CIMC ORIC at Marintec China for a new 21,700 TEU ammonia-dual fuelled ultra-large container ship design. DNV dubs the AiP another milestone in the development of next-generation, zero-carbon mainline container shipping.

In addition, DNV awarded Jiangnan Shipyard an AiP for its Jiangnan Intelligent System JNIS (DATA) under the D-INF(S) class notation. Jiangnan received the recognition for its standardised onboard data platform which is aligned with ISO 19847 and ISO 19848.