Wind-assisted ship propulsion company Anemoi Marine Technologies has won funding under the sixth round of the UK‘s Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition. The £1.2 million ($1.61 million) project will include the development of a folding rotor sail system tailored to Kamsarmax and Panamax bulk carriers, as well as aerodynamic design enhancements that the company said will significantly increase fuel savings.
“While our Rotor Sails are already efficient and high-performing, ongoing innovation is essential to unlock further efficiency gains, adapt to evolving vessel designs, and meet increasingly ambitious environmental targets,” said Clare Urmston, CEO of Anemoi Marine Technologies
Under the seven-month project, Anemoi will design, build and test a prototype of a new folding system for its 3.5 meter Rotor Sail. The company said this will be an industry first as folding systems have previously only been used on larger 5 meter sails. The company said this will allow sails to be lowered during port operations and reduce operational obstacles to the adoption of wind-assisted propulsion. The company said it also offers a unique rail deployment system, which allows the Rotor Sails to move along the deck of the ship.
The project will also cover additional design optimizations expected to improve the aerodynamic performance of wind-assisted vessels, delivering increased fuel savings and emissions reductions compared to Anemoi’s current Rotor Sails.
The test rig will be manufactured by UK company Pressure Design Hydraulics Engineers, with aerodynamic enhancements developed in partnership with Cape Horn Engineering, supported by Stehr Consulting. Victoria Steamship, a UK-based shipbroker, will contribute insights based on its fleet of nine vessels operating globally in the bulk carrier segment, a primary market for folding Rotor Sails. The UK innovation accelerator Connected Places Catapult will conduct market research and a port and vessel integration study.
