Anemoi awarded UK grant to test and develop its 3.5m Rotor Sail design

The funding covers a £1.9m project and will allow Anemoi to develop and test a new 3.5m diameter by 24.5m high Rotor Sail design. It funds the design activities, building, and testing of the demonstrator for the innovative new drive system, which will be manufactured by test rig experts, Pressure Design Hydraulics Ltd, and housed at VINCI Technology Centre. Of the total project costs, Anemoi is eligible for over £1.2m.

The grant will enable Anemoi to assess the performance of its new design in a safe and controlled environment close to its UK design offices. Anemoi already has experience with installations on mid-range vessels.

Its pilot installation on the M/V Afros, an Ultramax vessel, has sailed successfully for 6 years. The vessel was installed with Rotor Sails on Anemoi’s unique longitudinal rail deployment system. This rail deployment system, which allows the Rotor Sails to be moved along the deck to ensure cargo operations are unimpacted, will be retained for the new 3.5 x 24.5m Rotor Sails as driven by vessel requirements.

The year-long 3.5m development project will be further strengthened by numerous partners, each specialising in distinct elements. Dynamics analysis will be undertaken by project partner Frazer-Nash Consultancy which will support the development of the demonstrator. A regulation and certification assessment will be led by Stehr Consulting Ltd in collaboration with Lloyd’s Register.

UK-based vessel operator and project partner, Victoria Steamship, will assist by providing vital insights into the needs of stakeholders. Connected Places Catapult will conduct a feasibility study into the benefits of combined integration of Future Fuels and Rotor Sail technology, reinforcing the importance of Rotor Sails in the decarbonisation of shipping. 

Kim Diederichsen, Chief Executive Officer of Anemoi, commented, “We are thrilled to be selected for this valuable grant to build the demonstrator which will continue to propel our commitment to sustainable maritime solutions. All thanks to the hard work of the team, Anemoi showcased the importance of our work to UK SHORE. We aim not only to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the maritime industry but to also chart a course towards innovation, collaboration, and positive environmental impact on a global scale.”

Keir Gravil, Business Manager at Frazer-Nash Consultancy commented “CMDC is fantastic opportunity for companies to showcase their technical innovation, and Frazer-Nash is very pleased to be a project partner to Anemoi’s CMDC project, being able to demonstrate our extensive technical capability and expertise in this exciting market.”