Anemoi Marine Technologies has been awarded a grant from the UK Shipping Office for Reducing Emissions (UK SHORE) Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition (CMDC) Round 4.
The funding covers a £1.9m project and will allow Anemoi to develop and test a new 3.5m diameter by 24.5m high Rotor Sail design. It funds the design activities, building, and testing of the demonstrator for the new drive system, which will be manufactured by test rig experts, Pressure Design Hydraulics, and housed at VINCI Technology Centre. Of the total project costs, Anemoi is eligible for over £1.2m.
Anemoi says it continues to have success with its commercially proven 5m diameter Rotor Sails (available in heights of 24m, 30m and 35m) with installations on Kamsarmax and VLOC vessels. The 3.5m diameter Rotor Sail will be suited for mid-range vessels, such as Handysize and Ultramax bulkers, chemical and product tankers, and ro-ros. The grant will enable Anemoi to assess the performance of its new design in a safe and controlled environment close to its UK design offices. By expanding Anemoi’s product range even more vessels can make use of wind propulsion, helping to make a bigger difference to the shipping industry as it continues its decarbonisation journey.
Thanks to Anemoi’s background in the bulker segment, the company already has experience with mid-range vessels. Its pilot installation on the Afros, an Ultramax vessel, has sailed successfully for six years. The vessel was installed with Rotor Sails on Anemoi’s longitudinal rail deployment system, which allows the Rotor Sails to be moved along the deck to ensure cargo operations are unimpacted. The system will be retained for the new 3.5 x 24.5m Rotor Sails as driven by vessel requirements.
The year-long 3.5m development project will be further strengthened by partners, each specialising in distinct elements. Dynamics analysis will be undertaken by project partner Frazer-Nash Consultancy which will support the development of the demonstrator. A regulation and certification assessment will be led by Stehr Consulting in collaboration with Lloyd’s Register. UK-based vessel operator and project partner, Victoria Steamship, will assist by providing insights into the needs of stakeholders. Market research and UK supply chain analysis will be conducted by Connected Places Catapult, which will help Anemoi quantify the market opportunity for establishing a UK manufacturing operation to serve European and Transatlantic markets. Lastly, Connected Places Catapult will conduct a feasibility study into the benefits of combined integration of Future Fuels and Rotor Sail technology, reinforcing the importance of Rotor Sails in the decarbonisation of shipping. These diverse collaborative endeavours are considered key to accelerating progress in the development and implementation of energy-saving technology within the shipping industry.
Kim Diederichsen, Anemoi CEO said: “We are thrilled to be selected for this valuable grant to build the demonstrator which will continue to propel our commitment to sustainable maritime solutions. All thanks to the hard work of the team, Anemoi showcased the importance of our work to UK SHORE. We aim not only to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the maritime industry but to also chart a course towards innovation, collaboration, and positive environmental impact on a global scale.”
Frazer-Nash Consultancy Business Manager Keir Gravil added: “CMDC is fantastic opportunity for companies to showcase their technical innovation, and Frazer-Nash is very pleased to be a project partner to Anemoi’s CMDC project, being able to demonstrate our extensive technical capability and expertise in this exciting market.”
Image: Mid-size vessel RotorSail installation (source: Anemoi)
