Anemoi Marine Technologies, known for its innovative Rotor Sails designed to assist wind propulsion in shipping, is set to equip two chemical tankers with this technology.
These vessels, commissioned by Union Maritime Limited, are being constructed at Wuhu Shipyard Co in China and represent a significant step towards eco-efficient shipping solutions.
Union Maritime's decarbonisation strategy
The 18,500 DWT tankers will be outfitted with Anemoi's Rotor Sails by early 2026.
This initiative aligns with Union Maritime’s commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by over 20% compared to 2008 levels, supporting the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) 2030 target for cleaner energy use in the shipping sector.
Technical specifications and integration
Each vessel will be equipped with two 3.5m-diametre Rotor Sails, with respective heights of 20.5m and 24m
Each vessel will be equipped with two 3.5m-diametre Rotor Sails, with respective heights of 20.5m and 24m. Designed to meet EX safety standards, these sails are suitable for use on ships transporting potentially explosive materials.
The design and integration of the rotor sails were handled by Odely Marine, a ship design and engineering consultancy based in China.
Collaboration and innovation
Union Maritime’s history of embracing wind-assisted propulsion technologies has led to its collaboration with Anemoi. The partnership is a testament to Union’s dedication to innovative solutions that promise effective operational performance and sustainability.
Anemoi’s technology was selected following careful evaluation of various available solutions, resulting in a tailored adjustment of foundation arrangements to ensure seamless integration.
Commitment to sustainability
Dogra underscored the union as part of Project AeroPower, aimed at building the most energy-efficient fleet
"Wind propulsion is central to Union Maritime’s sustainability roadmap," stated Bhuvnesh Dogra, Chief Technical Officer of Union Maritime.
He underscored the collaboration as part of Project AeroPower, aimed at building the most energy-efficient fleet. "Anemoi’s Rotor Sail technology will be a powerful enabler of this goal," added Dogra.
Setting a New Industry Standard
Clare Urmston, CEO of Anemoi, expressed pride in partnering with Union Maritime. "The integration of Anemoi Rotor Sails from the outset showcases what can be achieved when innovative owners commit to wind-assisted propulsion," she remarked.
Urmston highlighted the operational benefits of the technology, emphasising its potential to set a new standard for efficient and future-ready chemical tankers.
Anemoi Marine Technologies, the UK-based pioneering designer of Rotor Sails for wind-assisted ship propulsion, is to install Rotor Sails on two newbuild chemical tankers under construction for Union Maritime Limited.
The 18,500 DWT vessels, to be built by Wuhu Shipyard Co in China, will feature a combination of technologies and retrofit readiness to safeguard cost-effective decarbonisation across their lifecycle. The Rotor Sails are set to be installed at Wuhu in early 2026 after construction at Anemoi’s state-of-the-art production facility in China.
Union Maritime’s strategy
The newbuilds will support Union Maritime’s strategy of surpassing the 20% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions (based on 2008 levels) required by the IMO’s 2030 indicative checkpoint.
The use of wind-assisted propulsion will help to ensure that the owner fulfils the IMO requirement that at least 5% of the energy used by 2030 is from zero- or near-zero-emission sources.
Vessel and rotor sail integration design
The vessels will each be fitted with two 3.5m-diametre Rotor Sails, with heights of 20.5m and 24m, respectively.
The Rotor Sails will be EX-rated, fulfilling the safety requirements for use on vessels carrying potentially explosive substances. Vessel and rotor sail integration design was conducted by China-based ship design and engineering consultancy Odely Marine.
Anemoi’s Rotor Sail technology
Union Maritime is a long-standing advocate of wind-assisted propulsion and has explored multiple wind technologies across its fleet. Their decision to partner with Anemoi for this project reflects their continued commitment to innovation and their confidence in solutions that deliver strong operational performance and long-term value.
Union Maritime selected Anemoi’s Rotor Sail technology for this project following a detailed review of available solutions. Anemoi adapted the previously prepared foundation arrangements to accommodate its system, ensuring optimal performance and seamless integration.
Union Maritime’s sustainability roadmap
“Wind propulsion is central to Union Maritime’s sustainability roadmap and to our collaborative initiative, Project AeroPower, which demonstrates that commitment in action."
"Partnering with Anemoi reflects our ongoing drive for scalable, high-impact innovation. We believe Anemoi’s Rotor Sail technology will be a powerful enabler of our goal to build the most energy-efficient fleet on the water,” said Bhuvnesh Dogra, Chief Technical Officer of Union Maritime.
New benchmark for efficient
Clare Urmston, CEO of Anemoi, commented, “We’re proud to partner with Union Maritime on these forward-looking vessels. Integrating Anemoi Rotor Sails from the outset showcases what can be achieved when innovative owners commit to wind-assisted propulsion."
"This project highlights the strong operational benefits of our technology and sets a new benchmark for efficient, future-ready chemical tankers.”
