Anemoi wind sails installed on U-Ming bulker

Four 35m-tall rotor sails from London-based wind propulsion specialist, Anemoi Marine Technologies Ltd, have been installed on the 325,000dwt ore carrier, Grand Pioneer. The vessel, owned by Taiwan’s U-Ming Marine Transport Corporation, is on long-term charter to Brazilian iron ore miner, Vale.

The tilting sails, built at Anemoi’s production plant on the Yangtze River, were delivered to the Cosco Zhoushan shipyard by barge, fully assembled and ready for installation. That process took just 1.5 days, followed by five days of commissioning and testing of the sails themselves and their tilting mechanisms. All of the work was completed within the ship’s scheduled drydocking in September.

Anemoi personnel were present at the yard throughout the process and were due to sail with the ship on its first voyage with sails from Zhoushan to Singapore. During the trip, Anemoi specialists will ensure that seafarers on board are confident in the effective operation of the sails.

Clare Urmston, Anemoi CEO, said: “We are proud to have delivered another successful rotor sail installation, providing fully assembled technology that minimises time in the yard and maximises value for our customers. U-Ming’s decision to adopt rotor sails, particularly as the first in the Taiwanese market to do so, demonstrates their strength, ambition and clear focus on decarbonisation.”

The vessel will now resume its regular voyage pattern between Brazil and China with fuel savings that are estimated at 10-12%.