Maersk to fit 35-metre rotor sail on container ship to slash fuel use

Maersk is partnering with wind-propulsion specialist Anemoi to mount a 35-metre rotor sail on its container ship Maersk Labrea, marking the first modern sail on a vessel of this type. The rotor sail, only five metres wide, will sit near the bow and generate thrust by spinning up to 170 times per minute, enabling the ship to reduce engine power or travel faster on windy routes across the Atlantic. Anemoi, founded by Costas Apodiakos, has already fitted its technology to bulk carriers and tankers, reporting fuel reductions of up to six percent on a large ore carrier.

Clare Urmston said the trial could open a market for up to 250 sails a year from the company’s Yangtze River site near Shanghai. Ole Graa Jakobsen described wind-assisted propulsion as one of several promising efficiency solutions for Maersk’s fleet. The experiment will begin next year, with the Labrea seeking the windiest stretches to maximise performance.