M/V Afros’ Anemoi rotor sails pass second drydock survey after eight years

The Ultramax bulk carrier M/V Afros, fitted with four Anemoi rotor sails in January 2018, has completed its second intermediate survey after more than eight years in operation, with classification society Lloyd’s Register (LR) confirming the system remains structurally sound and free of operational issues.
The survey was carried out at Jiangsu Watts Energy & Engineering Co on April 13th. The Liberia-flagged 64,000-dwt geared bulker is owned by Blue Planet Shipping.
According to Anemoi Marine Technologies, the vessel has completed 154 voyages and about 200 port calls since installation, while maintaining more than 95% operational availability. The company said the sails delivered fuel savings of 1,340 tonnes and reduced well-to-wake CO₂ emissions by 4,980 tonnes. The installation also lowered the vessel’s IMO Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index rating by about 4.2%.
Nick Contopoulos, co-founder and chief commercial officer of Anemoi, said: “Independent confirmation from LR after more than eight years of operation demonstrates that Anemoi Rotor Sails are not simply an innovative decarbonisation concept, they are a durable, practical and commercially deployable technology for the global fleet.”
Blue Planet Shipping managing director Nikos Apodiakos said M/V Afros had traded with 32 charterers since entering service, demonstrating that the rotor sail installation had not restricted spot market employment.