The maritime industry is witnessing a significant shift as emissions regulations tighten, making the business case for rotor sails more compelling than ever. Anemoi Marine Technologies, a British bulk carrier rotor sail designer, is at the forefront of this change, gearing up to expand its operations. The company, headquartered in London, has already made waves with its innovative rotor sail technology, deploying its first set of sails in 2018 aboard the ultramax bulk carrier Afros for Greek shipowner Blue Planet Shipping. Since then, Anemoi has completed installations on several vessels, including very large ore carriers and a kamsarmax bulker, with more projects in the pipeline.
Anemoi’s unique selling point is its folding or rail-mounted deployment systems, which allow the sails to be moved out of the way during cargo operations. This innovation, developed over a long period and first tested in real conditions in 2014, gives Anemoi a competitive edge. The company’s hydraulic systems, powered by electricity diverted from the vessel’s anchor windlasses, ensure efficient operation. While competitors have since introduced similar systems, Anemoi’s early entry into the market has given it a significant lead.
The company is now the second-largest provider of rotor sails after Finland’s Norsepower, with a client list that includes leading dry cargo vessel operators like Berge Bulk, Vale, and U-Ming. Anemoi’s chief production and partnerships officer, Nick Contopoulos, revealed that the company is set to grow its business beyond the large bulk carrier segment, targeting smaller dry cargo vessels and product tankers, particularly medium-range and long-range one vessels.
“Our strategy is for larger ships that require several sails on board. Multiple sails of the same design make projects more efficient, but we are now targeting orders for smaller ships,” Contopoulos said. This strategic shift comes as emissions regulations, especially Fuel EU, make the business case for sail assistance even more compelling. As more shipowners become interested in rotor sails, particularly from the product tanker segment, Anemoi is poised to meet the demand.
The company’s expansion plans are backed by a robust service strategy. Contopoulos emphasized the importance of long-term service agreements, which will become increasingly crucial as shipowners expect a 15- to 25-year lifespan for their sail systems. “The service sector is still evolving but is expected to be huge in the future, although shipowners expect to have as little maintenance as possible,” he said. Anemoi is expanding its spare parts network and providing service engineers to meet this demand.
Anemoi’s growth is also supported by strategic partnerships and government funding. The company has benefited from the UK government’s Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition funding, which has helped it scale up its operations. Anemoi’s supply chain includes UK-based manufacturers for control systems, while it partners with a Chinese state-owned high-speed train builder on some of its R&D. One of China’s largest manufacturers of wind turbines produces Anemoi’s composite rotor sails.
With production now well established, Anemoi is gearing up for the production of 200 rotor sails per year, targeting this output by 2027. This ramp-up in production is expected to decrease the cost of fitting sails, which can cost upwards of $1 million each, making the technology more accessible to a broader range of shipowners.
The trend of big shipowners coming to the market for rotor sails for multiple vessels, especially for newbuildings, is another factor driving Anemoi’s growth. As the maritime industry continues to grapple with emissions regulations, rotor sails are emerging as a viable solution. Anemoi’s expansion and innovation in this space are likely to shape future developments in the sector, pushing the industry towards more sustainable practices.
The company’s strategic moves, from targeting new vessel segments to expanding its service capabilities, are set to challenge norms and spark debate in the maritime industry. As emissions regulations tighten, the business case for rotor sails becomes increasingly compelling, and Anemoi is well-positioned to lead this charge. The company’s focus on innovation, strategic partnerships, and robust service agreements is likely to set new standards in the industry, driving the adoption of wind assistance technologies and paving the way for a more sustainable maritime future.
