Anemoi and U-Ming VLOC Rotor Sail retrofit

The installation is expected to complete by the end of 2025, with the Rotor Sails delivering anticipated fuel savings and emission reductions of 10-12% on deep-sea routes between China, Brazil, South Africa and Australia.

“With significant fuel and emissions savings forecasted, this latest investment will further enhance the international recognition of U-Ming’s steadfast dedication to sustainability and Anemoi’s position as a leading provider of critical vessel decarbonisation technology,” said Claes Horndahl, commercial director at Anemoi.

The Grand Pioneer will be retrofitted with four 35-metre tall, 5-meter diameter cylindrical Rotor Sails, featuring Anemoi’s bespoke folding deployment system.

This system allows the sails to be folded from vertical to mitigate impact on air draught and cargo handling, enhancing operational flexibility.

This project builds on Anemoi’s successful installations of Rotor Sails on various vessels, including the installation of four Rotor Sails with rail deployment systems on an 82,000 dwt Kamsarmax bulk carrier in June 2023, and a retrofit aboard a 388,000 dwt Valemax ore carrier in May 2024.

“These state-of-the-art rotor sails will play a key role in our decarbonisation strategy and will complement our portfolio of existing emission reducing technologies, including a fleet of LNG dual-fuel vessels,” said CK Ong, president of U-Ming.

“We will continue to research other emission lowering pathways such as carbon capture systems and retrofitting conventional vessels to methanol dual-fuel.”