The UK is making serious efforts to promote and accelerate alternative technologies for a cleaner maritime industry. The UK Shore (UK Shipping Office for Reducing Emissions) is an Innovate UK program with a funding of over £200 million. As part of the UK Shore initiative, the Clean Maritime Competition Round 4 (CMDC4) is being funded by the UK Department for Transport (DfT).
One of the innovative projects supported by CMDC is the development of a rotor sail system that could have a significant impact on the shipping industry. Anemoi Marine Technologies has received a grant of more than £1 million to develop this system.
Anemoi plans to use the funding to design a rotor sail with a diameter of 3.5 meters (11.4 feet) and a height of 24.5 meters (80.3 feet). This smaller diameter version will be compatible with a wider range of vessels compared to their previous 5-meter (16.4 feet) design.
The 5-meter rotor sails developed by Anemoi have already been successful commercially, and the new version aims to expand the technology to mid-range vessels such as chemical and product tankers and RoRos. The development and testing of the 3.5-meter diameter rotor sail will involve collaboration with industry partners over the course of a year.
Rotor sails have been around since the mid-1900s when Anton Flettner invented the “Flettner Rotors.” Over time, the technology has evolved, offering improved fuel efficiency and reduced bunker costs compared to traditional sails. The Anemoi rotor sails further enhance this efficiency by providing greater thrust per square meter of sail area. Additionally, their design allows for seamless integration with commercial shipping operations.
Anemoi’s rotor sails feature a unique longitudinal rail deployment system, allowing easy movement along the deck without interfering with cargo operations. The sails are made from modern lightweight composites, making them durable enough to withstand harsh water conditions and winds of up to 70 knots (35 meters/second). With the addition of a control system, the rotor sails can be fully automated and can be implemented on both existing and new-generation commercial vessels.
By investing in technologies like rotor sails, the UK aims to achieve complete decarbonization of its maritime sector by 2050.
