The UK
through its Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition is funding a year-long
project which seeks to expand the applicability of rotor sails to more classes
of vessels. Anemoi Marine Technologies
reports that its project involving a range of partners including Victoria
Steamship and Lloyd’s Register will develop and demonstrate a smaller sized
rotor sail suitable for mid-range vessels as an innovative new drive system
suited for the new application of wind -assisted propulsion.
The
funding will support the design, building and tests of the new drive system
which will be a smaller version of the commercially available rotor sails. The
new model will have an approximately 11.5 foot diameter and stand 80 feet off
the deck (3.5 meters x 24.5 meters). According to the company this will me the
rotor sail better suited for mid-range vessels, such as Handysize and Ultramax
bulkers, chemical and product tankers, and RoRos.
The
project which is expected to cost £1.9 million ($2.4 million) is eligible for
over £1.2 million ($1.5 million) in funding.
This will include the manufacturing of a test rig by Pressure Design
Hydraulics which will be housed at the VINCI Technology Center. According to
Anemoi, the project will enable the company to assess the performance of its
new design in a safe and controlled environment close to its UK design
offices.
UK-based
Victoria Steamship highlights that it will contribute technical know-how on
bulk carrier operations, along with essential vessel data and feedback
throughout the project. The approach will include evaluation of representative vessels,
advice on conforming to vessel regulatory requirements, risk mitigation and
confidence-building measures.
By
expanding Anemoi’s product range, the company promotes that even more vessels
can make use of wind propulsion, helping to make a bigger difference to the
shipping industry as it continues its decarbonization journey.
Anemoi’s
current rotor design is for a larger 16.4 diameter and offered in heights of
79-, 98-, and 115-foot sizes (5-meter x 24-, 30-, or 35-meter). The larger
rotor is already being installed on Kamsarmax bulkers and VLOC tankers. Last
year, for example, Brazilian mining giant Vale announced that it would install
five of Anemoi’s rotor sails onboard a 400,000 dwt Valemax, the world’s largest
ore carrier. That installation is scheduled for the second quarter of 2024. The
company completed is first Kamsarmax installation, the TR Lady, an 82,000 dwt
bulk carrier, in June 2023.
The company was launched a decade ago to develop a modern version of the
technology first pioneer a century ago. They completed the first demonstration
installation in 2018 and continue to advance the technology.
They look to build on their experience in the
bulker segment highlighting that the first installation the Afros (63,000
dwt), an Ultramax vessel, has sailed successfully for 6 years with the rotors.
Anemoi has also developed a longitudinal rail deployment system. This rail
deployment system, which allows the rotor sails to be moved along the deck to
ensure cargo operations are unimpacted, will be retained for the new smaller
sized rotors.
The
grand is part of the Round 4 awards made by the UK Shipping Office for Reducing
Emissions (UK SHORE) as part of the competition. The aim of this competition is
to fund real world demonstrations, trials and feasibility studies into clean
maritime technologies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions.