Vale to more than double sail-equipped iron ore carrier fleet
Vale plans to more than double its fleet of sail-equipped iron ore carriers, with the cost-saving technology to expand to at least 20 vessels within the next three years, easing the Brazilian miner’s exposure to marine fuel price volatility.
The spinning cylindrical sails about as high as a 10-storey building harness wind power during transoceanic voyages saving up to 10% in fuel consumption depending on the vessel, Vale’s general manager for shipping, Rafael Fischer, said on Tuesday.
Freight costs are significant for the mining sector and have climbed during the Iran war.
“Energy efficiency means we rely less and less on fuel, which reduces the impact of any variation in bunker fuel prices,” Fischer told Reuters aboard one of the sail-equipped vessels, docked at the Tubarao port in Espirito Santo state.
Vale currently has eight sail-equipped vessels, the result of a decade-long strategy focused on lowering emissions and improving efficiency that has shielded the company somewhat as the Middle East conflict drives up oil product prices.
Saving on fuel is a major concern at Vale, as it mainly ships iron ore to China, where it faces competition from suppliers in Australia.
“We have a geographic disadvantage compared with our competitors, so we are using innovation as a lever to mitigate that effect,” Fischer said.
Ethanol-powered ships
Beyond adding sails, Vale is also making its vessels fuel-flexible, said Fischer.
Earlier this month, it announced a 25-year charter agreement with China’s Shandong Shipping Corporation for the construction of two of the world’s first ethanol-fueled transoceanic vessels equipped with sails.
The ships will also be able to run on methanol or conventional bunker fuel, with future conversion options for liquefied natural gas and ammonia.
“In the future, we will have the option of at least five fuels, which gives us the flexibility to adapt to different situations and market conditions,” said Fischer.
(By Marta Nogueira and Fabio Teixeira; Editing by Joe Bavier)
World’s Largest Sail Cruise Ship Celebrates Naming and Delivery
Orient Express Corinthian, the world’s largest sailing ship, was christened on April 29, in Saint-Nazaire, France, and delivered to her owners, Orient Express Sailing Yachts, as part of the expansion of the fabled brand. With a displacement of approximately 15,000 metric tons, the ship is unique and has already set a speed record for wind propulsion for ships of its size.
Built at Chantiers de l’Atlantique, the companies highlight that it is the product of a decade of research and design. The shipyard developed the SolidSail technology that powers the ship, and that it sees as a technical response to the challenges of decarbonizing maritime transport.
The sailing yacht is equipped with three rigs, each spanning 1,500 square meters and towering over 100 meters high. They are fully automated and capable of providing 100 percent wind-powered propulsion, weather permitting. Capable of rotating 360 degrees, they allow for optimal sail positioning regardless of the ship’s heading or wind direction. Tilting up to 70 degrees permits the carbon masts to pass beneath bridges and other air draft restrictions.
During the vessel’s sea trials conducted in February 2026, it reached a speed of 12 knots in 20-knot winds, powered solely by the force of the wind. The shipyard highlights this as a first for a ship of its size. It is 15,000 tons displacement, 26,300 gross tons, and measures 220 meters (722 feet).
In addition to wind propulsion, the ship has a hybrid propulsion system powered by Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG). The design also incorporates numerous energy-efficiency devices, and it uses an AI-assisted detection system that continuously monitors for the presence of marine mammals and objects at sea, thereby mitigating the risk of collision. Dynamic positioning technology permits the ship to maintain position while preserving the seabed by eliminating the need for anchoring.
Sébastien Bazin, Chairman and CEO of Accor, said during the ceremonies that extending the Orient Express to the sea is a natural fit with the imagery of the legendary brand. Orient Express has been part of the Accor Group since 2022, and in 2024, Accor and LVMH entered into a strategic partnership aimed at accelerating the development of the brand. The company is also launching hotels and planning a new version of the legendary Orient Express train.
Orient Express Corinthian is scheduled to depart Saint-Nazaire on May 2, bound for the French Riviera and her entry into commercial service. She will spend her first season cruising in the Mediterranean before repositioning to the Caribbean for the winter.
The ship features 54 passenger suites ranging in size between 45 and 230 square meters, located on four decks. She accommodates 110 passengers and approximately the same number of crew. On board, passengers will find five restaurants and private dining rooms, as well as a 115-seat theater, a recording studio, and a spa. Amenities include a swimming pool and a marina.
Her sister ship, Orient Express Olympian, was floated out at the shipyard on April 17. She is beginning outfitting and is scheduled for delivery in 2027.
The ships are part of a new wave of luxury hotel brands entering cruising as extensions of their offerings. Ritz-Carlton and Four Seasons have also launched cruise ships. Aman is also building a luxury yacht cruise ship in Italy, due to enter service in 2027.
Cruise Ship Passenger Dies in Fall Near Catalina Island
On Monday, a passenger fell to her death from her balcony aboard the cruise ship Carnival Firenze. The circumstances of the fall are under investigation, and the FBI has joined the inquiry.
The Carnival Firenze got under way Sunday from Los Angeles for a coastal cruise to Mexico. On Monday, while the vessel was transiting off Catalina Island, the victim fell from her balcony onto a deck below.
In a statement, Carnival said that it would be supporting the victim's family, and a spokesperson extended thoughts and prayers to those affected by the event. Carnival said that the appropriate authorities were informed of the incident and that an investigation was getting under way. The cruise line described the law enforcement boarding and inspection as "customary."
According to the LA County Sheriff's Department, the FBI is leading the investigation. The agency has special jurisdiction over events that occur on cruise ships homeported in the United States.
After the law enforcement boarding, Carnival Firenze resumed her commercial voyage to Ensenada, Mexico. She should return to LA on schedule on Wednesday.
Falls / man overboard incidents occur about 20-25 times per year on cruise ships around the globe. Industry observers say that human factors are frequently at play. The Carnival Firenze incident remains under investigation, and no conclusions about root cause have been reached.
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