Taiwan-based U-Ming Marine Transport has contracted Anemoi Marine Technologies for four Rotor Sails to be installed on one of U-Ming’s 325,000-DWT very large ore carriers (VLOCs). The installation work is expected to be completed at the end of 2025.
Fuel and emission savings of approximately ten to twelve per cent are anticipated on deep-sea routes between China and Brazil, South Africa, and Australia.
The vessel will be retrofitted with four of Anemoi’s 35-metre-tall, 5 metres in diameter, cylindrical sails. The Rotor Sails will also be installed with Anemoi’s bespoke folding deployment system, whereby the sails can be folded from vertical to mitigate impact on air draught and cargo handling operations.
The Rotor Sails will be installed on the VLOC Grand Pioneer.
Also read: VIDEO: Anemoi installs Rotor Sails on ore carrier
Part of decarbonisation strategy
Mr CK Ong, President of U-Ming: ‘These state-of-the-art rotor sails will play a key role in our decarbonisation strategy and will complement our portfolio of existing emission reducing technologies, including a fleet of LNG dual-fuel vessels. In addition, we will continue to research other emission lowering pathways such as carbon capture systems and retrofitting conventional vessels to methanol dual-fuel.’
This latest announcement follows the successful installation of Anemoi Rotor Sails on various vessels including four Anemoi Rotor Sails with Rail Deployment Systems aboard an 82,000-DWT Kamsarmax bulk carrier in June 2023, and the retrofit of four folding Rotor Sails aboard a 388,000-DWT Valemax ore carrier in May 2024.
Also read: Anemoi wins grant to develop 3.5-metre Rotor Sail
Flettner Rotors
Rotor Sails, also known as “Flettner Rotors”, are vertical cylinders that harness the renewable power of the wind to provide additional forward thrust and improve the energy efficiency of the vessel, along with significant cuts to harmful emissions.
Rotor Sails are proving a popular choice amongst shipowners seeking net-zero technologies to enhance the energy efficiency of their vessels and aid their ships in meeting critical international emission reduction targets, including the Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) and EEDI/EEXI.
Picture (top): U-Ming’s Grand Pioneer with CGI Anemoi Rotor Sails (image by Anemoi Marine Technologies).
Also read: Berge Bulk to fit two dry bulk carriers with Anemoi Rotor Sails
