Maersk to trial British-made rotor sail on 8,700 TEU container vessel
Maersk will install a 5-metre rotor sail from Anemoi Marine Technologies on its Lima-class ship, with fitting planned for mid-2027 and testing on Atlantic routes.
Maersk is set to equip an 8,700-TEU Lima-class container ship, the Maersk Labrea, with a rotor sail developed by British firm Anemoi Marine Technologies. The cylindrical rotor, measuring 5 m across and 35 m high, will be installed in mid-2027 and subsequently tested on regular trans-Atlantic services. Anemoi reports that vessels using three of its rotors have achieved average net fuel and emissions reductions of 9.1 %, climbing to 21 % on selected voyages.
Clare Urmston, CEO of Anemoi, expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration, while Ole Graa Jakobsen, Maersk’s head of fleet technology, highlighted the trial as a valuable step toward broader adoption of wind-assisted propulsion. The initiative aligns with International Maritime Organization targets to cut shipping emissions by at least 20 % by 2030 and 70 % by 2040, moving the sector toward net-zero around 2050.
Why it matters
The test could show how wind-assisted technology reduces fuel use and emissions in container shipping.
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