UK-based Anemoi Marine Technologies has completed the installation of four rotor sails on the Grand Pioneer, a 325,000 deadweight-ton ore carrier operated by Taiwan’s U-Ming Marine Transport, aiming to cut fuel use and emissions, reported San Francisco’s Interesting Engineering.
The project took place at COSCO Zhoushan shipyard in China. Each rotor sail stands 35 metres tall and five metres in diameter, delivered fully assembled from Anemoi’s Yangtze River facility and installed using a plug-and-play method.
The sails use the Magnus effect to generate thrust, reducing reliance on fuel oil. The technology is expected to deliver up to 12 per cent annual fuel savings on long-haul routes between Brazil and China.
Anemoi’s team supervised the installation and accompanied the vessel’s maiden voyage to Singapore for crew training and system handover. The sails feature a folding design for bridge clearance and port operations.
U-Ming vice chairman Jeff Hsu said the installation marks a key step in the company’s decarbonisation strategy. CEO Clare Urmston of Anemoi said the project reflects growing momentum for wind propulsion in shipping.
U-Ming is the first Taiwanese shipowner to deploy rotor sails. The Grand Pioneer will operate under a long-term charter with Brazilian mining firm Vale. Performance data from upcoming voyages will be analysed to assess impact.
