Anemoi Marine Technologies to install first Rotor Sail on a Maersk container vessel

A.P. Moller-Maersk has selected Anemoi Marine Technologies, a British innovator in wind-propulsion technology, to supply its Rotor Sail system for installation on a container vessel in its 8,700 TEU Maersk Lima class, supporting the company’s ongoing efforts to improve vessel efficiency and reduce emissions. This marks the first time Rotor Sails will be installed on a container vessel that transports a wide range of cargo essential to global trade, from consumer goods and retail products to industrial equipment and components.

Anemoi has already installed its Rotor Sail technology across numerous vessel segments, including bulk carriers transporting raw materials and commodities. Under this agreement, Anemoi will design, manufacture and deliver a 5-metre diameter, 35-metre-high fixed Rotor Sail for installation on the vessel. The system will be integrated alongside existing onboard systems, with Anemoi providing support throughout engineering and installation. The Rotor Sail is due to be fitted in mid-2027 and will be piloted during the vessel’s regular operation, expected to be North and South Atlantic voyages.

Rotor Sails are a proven wind-assisted propulsion technology that harnesses aerodynamic lift to generate additional thrust, helping reduce fuel consumption and associated emissions under suitable operating conditions.

Clare Urmston, CEO of Anemoi, said the company is delighted to be working with Maersk on this pioneering project, calling it a strong example of how collaboration can support the adoption of wind-assisted propulsion, and said Anemoi looks forward to carrying out the installation and working together as the project progresses.

Ole Graa Jakobsen, Head of Fleet Technology, Maersk, said wind-assisted propulsion is one of several promising maritime solutions with the potential to improve vessel efficiency and reduce emissions. He said it has already been tested in other parts of the shipping sector, and Maersk sees this pilot with Anemoi as a valuable opportunity to build practical experience and assess its relevance for the company’s fleet and for container shipping more broadly.

Anemoi, incorporated in 2015, has installed its Rotor Sails on vessels serving a diverse network of international trade routes. The company’s expansion onto new types of transport vessels comes at a critical time, as the International Maritime Organization’s Strategy on Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships has set a target of zero emissions by or around 2050.