Anemoi seeks partners among South Korean shipbuilders
British company Anemoi Marine Technologies aims to expand cooperation with South Korean shipbuilding companies and shipowners by offering its Rotor Sails wind-assisted propulsion technology. This was reported by The Korea Herald, citing the company’s co-founder and chief commercial officer, Nick Contopoulos.
According to him, Anemoi already works with Korean shipowners, while several major South Korean shipyards have approached the company about jointly integrating the technology onto vessels. Contopoulos did not disclose the names of these companies. He also said that Anemoi is open to possible cooperation with HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and Hanwha Ocean, although the decision will depend on demand and where the company directs its resources.
How Rotor Sails work
Rotor Sails are tall rotating cylinders installed on a vessel’s deck. They use wind to generate forward thrust and operate alongside the main engine, reducing the amount of fuel needed to propel the vessel.
Contopoulos noted that the Korean market has been somewhat more conservative in adopting such solutions. At the same time, the industry’s interest in wind-assisted propulsion and financial support for more efficient vessels from Korean banks may indicate a shift in market conditions.
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According to Anemoi, a Kamsarmax-class bulk carrier equipped with three Rotor Sails reduced fuel consumption by an average of 9.1% during an annual assessment. On individual voyages, savings reached 21%. The company notes that actual efficiency depends on vessel design, route and wind conditions.
Installation for a Maersk container ship
Last week, Maersk and Anemoi announced plans to install a Rotor Sails system on a Lima-class container ship with a capacity of 8,700 twenty-foot equivalent units. The companies called it the first planned installation of rotor sails on a container vessel. According to Contopoulos, the configuration was designed to interfere with container handling as little as possible.
Rotor Sails do not replace a vessel’s engine and can be used with different types of fuel, including liquefied natural gas, methanol and ammonia. Anemoi currently has 29 rotor sails in operation and more than 16 additional units on order.
