New Tilting Rotor Sail System from CMES-Tech Achieves DNV Approval, Advancing China’s Green-Shipping Innovation

At the handover during Marintec 2025 in Shanghai: (L to R): Øyvind Pettersen, DNV Vice President and Head of TCC; Ilias Tsonos, Operations Support Manager for DNV Area China South; Chen Keng, DNV Vice President and Area Manager for China South; Huang Guofu, General Manager of CMES-Tech; Zhang Xiaosong, Head of Innovation Energy Saving Products Department of CMES-Tech; Wu Zan, Head of Business Department of CMES-Tech.

(IN BRIEF) DNV has granted Type Approval Design Certification to CMES-Tech for its 5m × 35m Tilting Type Wind Assisted Rotor System — the first rotor sail system developed in China to be certified under DNV’s WAPS rules. The approval confirms the technology is ready for installation on DNV-classed vessels and marks a major milestone for China in the green-shipping field. The tiltable rotor features a retractable design for port and cargo operations, integrated automation for real-time efficiency adjustment, and has passed a 120% overload test. DNV highlighted the growing role of wind-assisted propulsion in reducing fuel consumption and emissions, while CMES-Tech plans upcoming sea trials to validate full operational performance.

(PRESS RELEASE) LONDON, 4-Dec-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — DNV has issued a Type Approval Design Certificate (TADC) to CSSC Shanghai Marine Energy Saving Technology Co., Ltd. (CMES-Tech) for the company’s newly developed 5m × 35m Tilting Type Wind Assisted Rotor System, making it the first China-developed rotor sail technology to receive this certification under DNV’s WAPS rules (ST-0511). The approval confirms the system’s readiness for installation on DNV-classed commercial vessels and represents a significant milestone for China’s rapidly advancing green-shipping and wind-assisted propulsion sector.

Demand for wind-assisted propulsion systems (WAPS) is surging globally as the maritime industry works to reduce fuel consumption and comply with tightening emissions regulations. DNV has certified several WAPS technologies in recent years — including fixed, tilting, wingsail and suction-based solutions — as shipowners turn to renewable-supporting systems to improve operational efficiency and lower carbon output.

The new CMES-Tech rotor system features a tiltable and retractable structure, enabling operators to adjust height and position based on draft, clearance, port limitations or cargo operations. Integrated with real-time environmental sensing and automated control, the system optimizes rotor performance under varying wind conditions while maintaining safety and ensuring that sailing and port activity remain uninterrupted.

Dr. Huang Guofu, General Manager of CMES-Tech, described the approval as a breakthrough for domestic innovation:
“Achieving the DNV TADC is a landmark moment for China’s wind-assisted shipping industry. It validates the technical maturity and structural reliability of our tilting rotor design and reinforces our commitment to improving energy efficiency at sea. We look forward to continued collaboration with DNV as we expand development and deliver solutions that create environmental and economic value for global fleet operators.”

The certification was formally handed over at Marintec 2025 in Shanghai, with representatives from both DNV and CMES-Tech in attendance. DNV engineers reviewed mechanical, structural and electrical documentation and assessed operational feasibility under real-world conditions to ensure compliance with the DNV WAPS technical standard (ST-0511). The rotor system has also undergone a 120% overload test, demonstrating resilience under high stress and supporting readiness for deployment.

Chen Keng, DNV Vice President and Area Manager for China South, added:
“With shipping decarbonisation accelerating, wind-assisted technologies offer immediate efficiency gains. Certifying CMES-Tech’s design adds another trusted solution to the growing global WAPS portfolio. This approval reinforces industry confidence and supports wider adoption of wind propulsion across commercial fleets.”

Next steps include detailed installation planning and sea trials to verify in-service performance, bringing CMES-Tech closer to commercial rollout and positioning the system as a competitive option for shipowners seeking fuel savings and emissions reduction.

Media contact:

Margrethe Andersen
Head of External Communications, Maritime
margrethe.andersen@dnv.com
+47 47 68 22 89

SOURCE: DNV