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Anemoi Marine Technologies has made significant progress in the field of wind-assisted propulsion systems. The vessel M/V Afros, which is the first bulk carrier equipped with Flettner rotors, has successfully completed its second interim inspection after more than eight years of continuous operation. The inspection, conducted on April 13 by Lloyd’s Register at Jiangsu Watts Energy & Engineering Co., confirmed that the four rotor sails of the vessel are structurally intact and that no operational issues have occurred. This provides independent confirmation of the long-term durability and reliability of Anemoi’s rotor sails.
The rotor sails were installed in January 2018 on the 64,000 DWT Ultramax bulk carrier operated by Blue Planet Shipping. Since then, the rotor sails have demonstrated in practice that wind-assisted propulsion systems (WAPS) can achieve fuel savings and emissions reductions over extended periods. These results are particularly relevant as they show that the rotor sails can be seamlessly integrated into regular trading patterns.
Long-term Performance Evidence
Nick Contopoulos, co-founder and Chief Commercial Officer of Anemoi, commented on the inspection results: “The successful completion of the second interim inspection of the freighter is a significant moment, not only for Anemoi but also for the entire wind propulsion technology sector. The independent confirmation from Lloyd’s Register after more than eight years of operation shows that our rotor sails are not just a concept for decarbonization, but represent a durable, practical, and commercially viable technology for the global fleet.”
Overall, the vessel has saved 1,340 tons of fuel and reduced 4,980 tons of CO₂ emissions during 154 voyages, while operational availability since installation has exceeded 95%. Furthermore, the vessel has made approximately 200 port calls, underscoring its compatibility with the demands of commercial trade and port operations.
The rotor sails on the Afros are smaller than Anemoi’s current models, with a diameter of only 2 m and a height of 16 m, compared to the 5 m diameter and 35 m height of the latest models. The results correspond to approximately 1.33 tons of fuel saved per sail and operational day, which is comparable to the performance of Anemoi’s latest installations. This strong correlation demonstrates that the savings demonstrated in this case are also transferable to larger commercial systems.
Due to the efficiency gains achieved, the vessel was able to reduce its rating in the IMO Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI) by approximately 4.2%, extending compliance with international energy efficiency requirements and improving its regulatory profile.
Nikos Apodiakos, Managing Director of Blue Planet Shipping, emphasized: “Since its commissioning, the Afros has served 32 different charterers, demonstrating that the rotor sail system is accepted by commercial customers and does not pose a disadvantage for operations in the spot market. We are, of course, pleased with the positive assessment of the rotor sail system and optimistic about the revenue and emission savings potential for the remaining active lifecycle of the vessel.”
The installation was also the first application of Anemoi’s longitudinal rail system, which allows the rotor sails to be repositioned during cargo handling, enabling the bulk carrier to maintain full flexibility with its cargo. This concept has now been adopted in current projects by Anemoi, highlighting the ongoing relevance of the original installation.
