Wind-assisted

Exclusive: Anemoi lays out financial and environmental benefits of Rotor Sails

UK-based Anemoi shared with Manifold Times financial benefits from reduced bunker fuel consumption when utilising wind-propulsion technology and its long-term environmental benefits.

Published

1 year ago

May 16, 2024

Admin

Exclusive: Anemoi lays out financial and environmental benefits of Rotor Sails

Anemoi Marine Technologies, a UK-based Rotor Sail developer, wrote an exclusive editorial contribution for Singapore-based bunkering publication Manifold Times exploring the financial benefits from reduced bunker fuel consumption when utilising wind-propulsion technology while also highlighting the long-term environmental benefits of the technology for ship owners:

As the global shipping industry ramps up decarbonisation efforts, modern cargo vessels are striving for energy efficiency, guided by the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) regulations. The IMO’s 80^th meeting of its Marine Environmental Protection Committee (MEPC 80), which took place in July 2023, spotlighted vessel efficiency, emphasizing a review of energy efficiency design requirements, including the Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) and the Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI).

In pursuit of the IMO’s net-zero target of 2050, ship owners are embracing low and zero-carbon technologies. Among these, innovative propulsion options like Flettner Rotors, or Rotor Sails, are gaining traction. These advanced sails, inspired by history but technologically superior, offer auxiliary propulsion to vessels to enable them to maintain their speed but with reduced fuel usage, which can in turn significantly reduce carbon emissions.

Rotor Sails are particularly popular for their retrofitting potential, allowing easy installation on existing vessels in port or dry dock. With wind power abundant on many trade routes, ship owners are embracing these modern solutions to drive efficiency and cut emissions.

Simplicity

Rotor Sails are genius in their ingenuity. They harness the “Magnus Effect”, rotating within airflow to produce forward thrust perpendicular to the wind. This additional thrust can enhance speed or reduce engine power, dramatically cutting fuel consumption and emissions. Versatile and simple to install, they are suitable for various vessel types. Each sail can be swiftly fitted, even during dry dock or while berthed, making them ideal for rapid retrofits. Moreover, they are portable assets, and can be transferred between ships as required. With their uncomplicated design and swift installation, Rotor Sails offer a rapid and efficient solution for reducing emissions and enhancing efficiency in the maritime sector.

Rotor Sail placement and design on vessels must carefully consider safety and efficiency, ensuring no hindrance to cargo handling. Anemoi Marine Technologies, a leading developer based in the United Kingdom and with a world-class production facility in China, retrofitted three 24-m Rotor Sails on the Kamsarmax bulk carrier TR Lady in June 2023 at Chengxi Shipyard in China. Despite the challenge larger bulkers face in meeting efficiency targets, Rotor Sail technology is ideal due to their ample deck space and predictable wind patterns.

Exclusive: Anemoi lays out financial and environmental benefits of Rotor Sails

TR Lady‘s trial voyage from China to Australia yielded positive results and annual savings of 10% in fuel consumption and emissions are expected. The sails, which are installed on Anemoi’s transverse rail deployment system, can be moved on the deck when berthed for cargo operations.

Anemoi’s Chief Executive Officer, Kim Diederichsen, highlighted the effectiveness and cost efficiency of the technology in reducing emissions: “The installation of Rotor Sails on TR Lady and the results we have seen so far show how effective Rotor Sails are when it comes to reducing the fuel consumption and emissions of a vessel. Rotor Sails are a visible, viable and cost-effective decarbonisation technology.”

Diederichsen went on to say: “Our background equipped us with the knowledge of how to best adapt the technology for complex vessel operations. As a result, we developed a range of Rotor Sails with variable heights and, most uniquely, a range of deployment systems and mounting arrangements. This includes a standard fixed mounting; a folding deployment, which enables the cylinders to be lowered from vertical to enable the vessel to pass under low bridges and avoid impact to cargo loading and unloading; and finally our patented rail system that was used on TR Lady.”

Their technology, adapted for complex vessel operations, includes variable heights and deployment systems like folding and patented rail systems, ensuring adaptability and minimal impact on cargo operations.

Anemoi developed a Fuel Saving Assessment Model (FSAM) to accurately predict fuel and emissions savings. FSAM utilizes Rotor Sail performance, vessel data, route, and wind conditions to simulate historic voyages over five years, ensuring fair and transparent results accounting for additional drag and generator usage.

Forward Thinking

Anemoi already has a number of projects underway with some of the industry’s biggest names, including Vale and Berge Bulk to install Rotor Sails onboard vessels over the coming months and, in February, it received funding from the UK’s Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition to develop a new diameter of Rotor Sail and innovative drive system. Buoyed by its success on bulk carriers, Anemoi has also signed a deal with Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding Group to develop Rotor Sail designs specifically for LNG vessels.

As per the UK’s Clean Maritime Plan, the wind propulsion technology market, including Rotor Sails, is expected to soar to GBP 2 billion (USD 2.5 billion) annually by 2050, a substantial rise from the projected GBP 300 million in the 2020s.

This growth is directly tied to the credibility of Rotor Sails as a decarbonisation technology. As alternative fuels and other eco-friendly innovations become market-ready, auxiliary wind propulsion methods can be used in tandem to garner even more environmental benefits for the shipping sector.

Photo credit: Anemoi Marine Technologies
Published: 16 May, 2024

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Wind-assisted

Dealfeng to equip Singapore-based Hung Ze’s chemical tankers with rotor sails

Project marks Chinese firm Dealfeng’s first overseas commercial contract for its wind-assisted propulsion technology which entails equipping a new series of 14,000 DWT chemical tankers with Dealfeng Rotor Sails.

Published

17 hours ago

May 22, 2025

Admin

Singapore-based Hung Ze chemical tankers to be equipped with Dealfeng rotor sails

Dealfeng, a Chinese provider of wind-assisted propulsion systems, on Tuesday (20 May) said it has assigned a cooperation agreement with Singapore-based shipowner Hung Ze Shipping.

The partnership will equip a new series of 14,000 DWT chemical tankers with Dealfeng® Rotor Sails.

Each vessel will feature a 5m x 24m Dealfeng Rotor Sail installed on its forecastle deck. Collaborating with maritime software leader NAPA, the project will utilise route optimisation systems to maximise the efficiency of wind-assisted voyages, further enhancing fuel savings and emissions reduction while improving overall energy performance.

“The first vessel in the series is scheduled for delivery with the rotor sail system in the fourth quarter of 2025. Preliminary calculations indicate that the technology will achieve approximately 8% fuel savings on the vessel’s trading routes,” the company said in a social media post.

The project marked Dealfeng’s first overseas commercial contract for its wind-assisted propulsion technology.

Dealfeng, a clean energy technology company specialising in the R&D, manufacturing, and EPC services of shipborne energy-saving systems, has long focused on developing Wind Assisted Propulsion Systems (WAPS). Its core product, the Rotor Sail, harnesses wind energy via the Magnus effect to provide auxiliary propulsion for vessels.

Tailored to different ship types, the system offers fuel and carbon emission reductions of 5%–25%, with even greater efficiency under favorable wind conditions. Dealfeng’s Rotor Sail technology has obtained certifications from multiple classification societies and has been successfully deployed across numerous vessels, accumulating years of operational experience that validate its safety, reliability, and effectiveness.

Hung Ze operates a diverse fleet ranging from 5,000 DWT vessels to MR product tankers.

Photo credit: Dealfeng
Published: 22 May, 2025

Wind-assisted

Anemoi, Hafnia, Guangzhou Shipyard and DNV to design rotor sails for MR tankers

Companies agreed to develop a new generation of efficient and environmentally friendly Rotor Sail vessel designs to increase efficiency of MR tankers within the wider global fleet.

Published

4 days ago

May 19, 2025

Admin

Anemoi, Hafnia, Guangzhou Shipyard and DNV to design rotor sails for MR tankers

Anemoi Marine Technologies on Thursday (15 May) announced a new partnership with Hafnia, Guangzhou Shipyard International (GSI), and DNV to develop the integration design of Rotor Sails suitable for installation on 50,000 dwt Medium-Range (MR) tanker vessels.

The companies signed a Joint Development Project (JDP) in April 2025 to develop a new generation of efficient and environmentally friendly Rotor Sail vessel designs to increase the efficiency of MR tankers within the wider global fleet.

As part of the project, Anemoi and Hafnia will undertake several engineering studies to establish specifications related to how Rotor Sails can be safely and efficiently installed on the deck of MR tankers, alongside additional electrical and control system layouts for these vessels.

In addition, the studies will include calculations to examine how Rotor Sails can improve the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) and Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI) values of existing and future MR tankers.

GSI will apply its naval architecture and marine engineering principles to develop essential technical documentation for the new Rotor Sail’s design integration, while DNV will undertake an Approval in Principle (AiP) assessment to ensure that the design is feasible and verifies that no significant obstacles exist to prevent the design from being realized based on current and foreseeable regulatory and class requirements.

Nick Contopoulos, Chief Production and Partnerships Officer of Anemoi, said: “There is growing interest within the tanker sector for novel technology that can help reduce the carbon footprint of their vessels and increase their value, particularly as the MR tanker fleet is expected to grow in the coming years.”

“Our partnership with Hafnia, alongside GSI and DNV, will ensure a new generation of MR tankers that utilises Rotor Sails to improve their efficiency and sustainability credentials hits the water in the not-too-distant future.”

Mr Shao Guang Chi, Station Manager of Guangzhou Station at DNV Maritime, said: “WAPS, like Rotor Sails, are spreading throughout the industry, enabled by new materials, data and software, and evolving rules and regulations.”

“Across all segments, we still have room to improve vessel energy efficiency and WAPS have emerged as one of the most attractive tools for shipping to make immediate, impactful gains in this area.”

Photo credit: Anemoi Marine Technologies
Published: 19 May, 2025

Events

Green Shiptech China Congress to explore alternative bunker fuels and ship technologies

LNG, methanol and ammonia as well as fuel cell integration will be among key issues discussed at the annual conference which will be held on 25 to 26 September in Shanghai.

Published

1 week ago

May 15, 2025

Admin

Ridge China on Wednesday (14 May) announced it will be hosting the 14th Green Shiptech China Congress (GSCC), an annual conference which will be held on 25 to 26 September in Shanghai.

More than 4,400 experts and decision makers from governments, classification societies, shipowners, shipyards, research institutes, technology/equipment suppliers and consulting companies attended the previous GSCC from 2012 to 2024.

For 2025, over 400 industry experts, corporate decision makers and government officials will be engaged in comprehensive discussions on current issues of IMO, EU, USCG, China MSA’s policies and regulations, designs and standards for new ship models, innovative and sustainable green ship technologies at this annual conference.

Alternative bunker fuels such as LNG, methanol and ammonia as well as fuel cell integration will be part of the important issues discussed at the event.

Speakers will be from

IMO
European Commission
U.S. Coast Guard
China MSA
Financial Institutions
Maritime Research Institutes
Solution & Technology Providers
Shipowners
Shipyards
Classification Societies

Key topics

Policies and Regulations Update and Interpretate by IMO, European Commission, U.S. Coast Guard and China MSA
Retrofitting Vessels to Achieve Decarbonization Goals
Energy Efficiency Continues to Be Key for Decarbonization
Decarbonization Through Digitalization
Digital Technologies As a Key Enabler for Emissions Reduction
Impact of a Hull Coating Upgrade on Hull Efficiency
LNG As Marine Fuel: Pivoting Towards Cleaner Shipping
Methanol As a Marine Fuel
Ammonia’s Credentials As a Green Fuel
Wind Propulsion Technology
Fuel Cell Integration: Upcoming Challenges and Opportunity
Propelling Carbon-neutral Shipping with Green Engines and Alternative Fuels
Next-generation Electric and Hybrid Marine Propulsion Technologies and Components
Latest Developments in Energy Storage Systems

Interested parties may contact:

Mr. Quin Xu
Tel: +86 21 6607 8610 -8003
Mob: +86 13564222811
Email: [email protected]

Note: The English and Chinese version of the event website can be found here and here respectively while the event registration can be found here.

Photo credit: Ridge China
Published: 15 May, 2025