Anemoi to design Flettner rotor sails for Hudong-Zhongua Shipbuilding Group

UK-based Anemoi Marine Technologies will design the rotor sails to be installed on two new LNG carriers.

PHOTO: Anemoi has said demand for rotor sails has grown in the past few months. Anemoi Marine Technologies

Under the agreement with the China-based Hudong-Zhongua Shipbuilding Group, Anemoi will assess the feasibility and design of the Flettner rotor sails for installation on the LNG carriers. Anemoi will also develop specification requirements and designs for future installation projects, the firm said. 

According to the company, the huge deck space available on modern LNG carriers makes rotor sails ideal for these vessels. The technology has limited impact on cargo operations. 

The firm has reported an increase in the use of Flettner rotor sails in recent months. Moreover, Anemoi announced in May that it was on track to have a production capacity of up to 50 rotor sails a year by the end of the year.

Flettner rotor sails are a type of Wind-Assisted Propulsion Technology (WAPS), which harnesses wind energy to provide lift to the vessel and aid propulsion. A Wärtsilä study revealed, “The (Flettner rotor sails) system can reduce fuel consumption and associated GHG emissions by up to 30%.”

By Manjula Nair

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