Danish Maersk Selects UK's Anemoi to Install Rotor Sails on 8,700 TEU Container Vessels

en.Wedoany.com Reported - A.P. Moller - Maersk (Maersk) has selected UK-based wind propulsion technology company Anemoi Marine Technologies (hereinafter "Anemoi") to equip its 8,700 TEU "Maersk Lima-class" container vessels with rotor sail systems. This marks the first installation of rotor sails on container ships.

Container ships, which transport goods ranging from consumer products and retail items to industrial equipment and components, are vital enablers of global trade. Anemoi has previously installed rotor sails on vessel types such as bulk carriers that transport raw materials and commodities.

Under the agreement, Anemoi will design, manufacture, and deliver a set of fixed rotor sails measuring 5 meters in diameter and 35 meters in height for installation onboard. The system will be integrated with the vessel's existing systems, with Anemoi providing engineering and installation support. The equipment is scheduled to be installed mid-2027 and piloted during the vessel's regular operations, with expected routes across the North Atlantic and South Atlantic.

Rotor sails are a proven wind-assisted propulsion technology that uses aerodynamic lift to provide additional thrust, helping vessels reduce fuel consumption and associated emissions when operating conditions are suitable.

Clare Urmston, CEO of Anemoi, said the company is delighted to collaborate with Maersk on this project; in her view, the project demonstrates how collaboration can advance the adoption of wind-assisted propulsion technology. Anemoi looks forward to completing the installation and maintaining cooperation with Maersk as subsequent projects progress.

Ole Graa Jakobsen, Head of Fleet Technology at Maersk, stated that wind-assisted propulsion is one of several maritime solutions that can improve vessel efficiency and reduce emissions, and it has already been tested in other sectors of the shipping industry. The pilot with Anemoi will provide Maersk with hands-on operational experience, enabling the company to assess the technology's relevance to its own fleet and the broader container shipping sector.

Founded in 2015, Anemoi has installed rotor sails on vessels operating across multiple international trade routes. The International Maritime Organization's (IMO) Strategy on Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships sets out the shipping industry's goal of achieving net-zero emissions by around 2050.