Giant 114-foot wind sails to propel 325,000-deadweight-ton cargo ship

Anemoi Marine Technologies, a UK-based wind propulsion developer, has installed four large rotor sails on the 325,000 deadweight-ton very large ore carrier (VLOC) Grand Pioneer, operated by Taiwan’s U-Ming Marine Transport Corporation. The 114-foot-tall, 16-foot-diameter sails were installed at the COSCO Zhoushan shipyard in China and are designed to harness wind power via the Magnus effect, generating thrust that reduces the ship’s fuel consumption and emissions. This installation marks a significant step in U-Ming’s commitment to decarbonizing shipping and improving sustainability on long-haul routes, specifically between Brazil and China. The rotor sails, delivered fully assembled and installed using a plug-and-play method, are expected to reduce annual fuel use and emissions by 10 to 12 percent during deep-sea operations. The sails also feature a folding design for operational flexibility in ports and under bridges. Anemoi’s team supervised the installation and accompanied the vessel on