Helsinki-based wind propulsion company Norsepower has secured a new agreement to deliver six of its Norsepower rotor sails for a fleet of newbuild tankers commissioned by GEFO Shipping Group.
These newbuild vessels, designed by Ship Design & Consult (SDC), and constructed by Nantong Xiangyu Shipbuilding, will be delivered between 2026 and 2028 with the rotor sails installed. The deal represents the first collaboration between Norsepower, GEFO, and the shipbuilder Nantong Xiangyu Shipbuilding, and is considered to mark another major step in accelerating wind propulsion adoption across European-owned fleets.
The agreement covers six tankers across two distinct designs:
- Four 3,850 dwt chemical tankers, each to be equipped with one 20mx4m Norsepower rotor sail
- Two 7,900 dwt chemical tankers, each to be equipped with one 28mx4m Norsepower rotor sail
All six rotor sails will feature Norsepower’s EX-compliant design, certified for use on vessels transporting flammable cargoes and compliant with all class and safety requirements. These rotor sails will be manufactured at Norsepower’s dedicated factory in China, and delivered to the yard fully assembled, tested and ready for installation.
Dr-Ing. Henning Brauer, GEFO Technical Director, said: “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.”
The six-vessel order will be fulfilled by Chinese shipyard Nantong Xiangyu Shipbuilding, and represents both GEFO’s and Nantong Xiangyu’s first collaboration with Norsepower — further expanding Norsepower’s presence in Asia and deepening its role as a strategic partner in sustainable shipbuilding. The vessels were designed by German naval architecture firm SDC with integrated wind propulsion considered from the earliest design stages to ensure optimal performance and operational efficiency.
Additionally, GEFO will be able to benefit from the Norsepower Digital Dimension — which provides access to the AI-powered Norsepower Sentient Control system and the cloud-based data infrastructure of Norsepower Cloud. This ecosystem enables precise real-time performance optimisation, predictive maintenance, and full transparency on emissions savings for the customer.
Norsepower CEO Heikki Pöntynen said: “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. 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.”
The six newbuild vessels have received support from the German Government’s Namkue Fund (Nachhaltige Modernisierung von Küstenschiffen), a financial instrument aimed at promoting sustainable coastal shipping and accelerating decarbonisation technologies. The first vessels in the series are scheduled for delivery in early 2026, with Norsepower rotor sails installed shortly after hull completion at the shipyard.
Image: GEFO tanker with Norsepower rotor sails (source: Norsepower)
