UK Invests in Project to Develop Rotor Sails for Mid-Range Vessels

The UK is funding a year-long project through its Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition to develop and demonstrate a smaller sized rotor sail suitable for mid-range vessels. Anemoi Marine Technologies, along with partners Victoria Steamship and Lloyd’s Register, will receive over £1.2 million in funding to design, build, and test the new drive system, which will be a smaller version of the commercially available rotor sails. This new model will be approximately 11.5 feet in diameter and 80 feet off the deck, making it better suited for mid-range vessels such as bulkers, tankers, and RoRos.

The project, expected to cost £1.9 million, will include the manufacturing of a test rig and the assessment of the new design in a safe and controlled environment close to the company’s UK design offices. Victoria Steamship will contribute technical know-how and essential vessel data, while Anemoi aims to expand its product range to make wind propulsion accessible to more vessels, furthering the shipping industry’s decarbonization efforts.

Anemoi Marine Technologies has already developed a larger rotor sail, which is being installed on bulkers and tankers. The company was launched a decade ago to modernize the century-old technology and completed its first demonstration installation in 2018. They plan to build on their experience in the bulker segment and retain the longitudinal rail deployment system for the new smaller sized rotors. The project is part of the UK SHORE competition, which aims to fund real-world demonstrations and trials of clean maritime technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Source .