A P Moller – Maersk has selected Anemoi Marine Technologies to supply its Rotor Sail wind-propulsion system for installation on a container vessel in its 8,700 TEU Maersk Lima class, in what will be the first installation of Rotor Sails on a container vessel, according to the companies.
Anemoi has previously installed its Rotor Sail technology on other vessel types, including bulk carriers. Under the new agreement, the company will design, manufacture and deliver a fixed Rotor Sail that is 5m in diameter and 35m meters high, to be integrated alongside the vessel’s existing onboard systems. Anemoi will provide support through engineering and installation.
The Rotor Sail is due to be fitted in mid-2027 and piloted during the vessel’s regular operations, expected to cover North and South Atlantic voyages. Rotor Sails work by harnessing aerodynamic lift to generate additional thrust, helping reduce fuel consumption and associated emissions under suitable operating conditions.
Clare Urmston, CEO of Anemoi, said, “We’re delighted to be working with Maersk on this pioneering project. It’s a strong example of how collaboration can support the adoption of wind-assisted propulsion, and we look forward to carrying out the installation and working together as the project progresses.”
Ole Graa Jakobsen, head of fleet technology at Maersk, said, “Wind-assisted propulsion is one of several promising maritime solutions with the potential to improve vessel efficiency and reduce emissions. It has already been tested in other parts of the shipping sector, and we see this pilot with Anemoi as a valuable opportunity to build practical experience and assess its relevance for our fleet and for container shipping more broadly.”
Anemoi, incorporated in 2015, has installed Rotor Sails on vessels across a range of international trade routes. The company said its move into new vessel types comes as the International Maritime Organization’s Strategy on Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships targets net-zero emissions from shipping by or around 2050.
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