Wind assisted propulsion system (WAPS) company Anemoi Marine Technologies has announced the official opening of its new rotor sail production facility in China.
This development is believed to significantly enhance Anemoi’s manufacturing capabilities and underscore its commitment to accelerating the maritime industry’s transition to zero emissions. Strategically located on the banks of the Yangtze River, Anemoi’s facility is located in Jingjiang City, Jiangsu Province, within Daming Heavy Industry’s manufacturing base. The facility provides direct access to port infrastructure, enabling seamless logistics for import, export, and delivery. With barge transport available on-site, rotor sails can be transported efficiently and installed directly at nearby major shipyards, streamlining operations and minimising environmental impact.
Clare Urmston, Anemoi CEO, said: “This is more than just a new site. It’s a fully integrated, end-to-end production hub where every stage, from steel fabrication and precision assembly to rigorous testing and quality assurance, is handled under one roof. That means faster turnaround, uncompromised quality, and complete oversight by our expert team, on site, from start to finish. Anemoi’s strategy is quality first and this site enables exactly that.”
Anemoi has been working in China since its pilot installation in 2018, and subsequently established its Chinese entity, Anemoi Marine Technologies (Changzhou) in 2021. The company has built strong strategic partnerships over time. For example, Anemoi has maintained close cooperation and formed a strategic partnership with CRRC Qishuyan Institute, a first-tier subsidiary of CRRC, the world’s largest rail transit equipment manufacturer. With a strong foundation in materials science, key manufacturing processes, key components, and intelligent manufacturing of high-end equipment, the two parties have forged a deep cooperative relationship across the entire value chain, from key component production and system assembly to testing and technical services. Together, they have jointly established this facility which serves as an advanced manufacturing platform, integrating both production and verification capabilities. The site has been co-designed to enable full speed testing, commissioning and balancing of rotor sails prior to delivery to the Customer to minimise the risk during vessel installation and operation. The site can accommodate Anemoi’s full suite of deployment systems including fixed, folding and rail types.
This collaboration not only enhances Anemoi’s industrial footprint but also brings the quality assurance associated with China’s high-speed rail to Anemoi’s rotor sails. Importantly, rotor sails align seamlessly with the CRRC Qishuyan Institute’s development strategy of ‘High-end Transportation Equipment + Clean Energy Equipment’ in the clean energy sector. Moving forward, both parties are committed to advancing global efforts in maritime energy conservation and emissions reduction.
Fang Jun, Vice GM, CRRC Changzhou Tech-Mark Industrial, said: “We are proud to support this milestone project, which reflects the power of international cooperation. By combining British innovation in wind propulsion with China’s advanced manufacturing expertise, we are delivering impactful solutions on a global scale.”
Anemoi has built a long-term collaboration with Lianyungang Zhongfu Lianzhong Composite Material Group (Zhongfu) to produce its composite rotor skins using Anemoi’s patented filament winding manufacturing process. This method, believed unique to Anemoi, ensures additional strength, durability, and uniformity across every product, which is vital for high-performance and withstanding cargo operations. Composite skins are thoroughly tested, painted, and inspected before being transported to Anemoi’s facility in Jingjiang for Rotor Sail assembly.
Xu Xiuming, Marketing Director, wind turbine blades, Zhongfu, said: “We are proud to be contributing to the shipping industry’s decarbonisation journey through our close partnership with Anemoi since 2020, producing high-quality composite rotors at scale.”
Now, Anemoi has partnered exclusively with Daming Heavy Industries, a high-end precision manufacturing services company. The collaboration is intended to strengthen Anemoi’s position, drive quality in delivery and provide flexibility to scale as global demand for wind-assisted propulsion grows.
Ren Lei, Marketing Director, Daming, said: “Our partnership with Anemoi reflects a shared commitment to quality, efficiency, safety, and timely delivery. With our one-stop, fully integrated facility, we are confident in our ability to support Anemoi’s vision and contribute to a more sustainable maritime future.”
With an annual production capacity of 250 rotor sails, and the option to expand further and store units for fast turnaround, the new site positions Anemoi to meet global demand and support its customers in achieving critical decarbonisation goals. The scale and capabilities of this facility are claimed to make it the first of its kind for wind propulsion, cementing Anemoi’s leadership in this transformative sector.
Nick Contopoulos, CCO, Anemoi, said: “Our presence in one of China’s key shipping hubs not only strengthens existing strategic relationships but also paves the way for new collaborations. Getting to zero emissions requires forward-thinking action and partnerships like these. Together, we are shaping the future of sustainable shipping.”
Image: Anemoi’s rotor sails in final assembly at the new Jingjiang production facility (source: Anemoi/Wake Media)
