A.P. Moller–Maersk is preparing to test wind-assisted propulsion on a container vessel, partnering with UK-based Anemoi Marine Technologies to install a rotor sail on an 8,700-TEU Maersk Lima-class containership. The project is expected to mark the first installation of a rotor sail on a container vessel.
Anemoi will design, manufacture and supply a fixed rotor sail measuring five metres in diameter and 35 metres high. Installation is scheduled for mid-2027, with the system to be integrated into the vessel’s existing onboard equipment.
Following installation, Maersk plans to operate the vessel in normal commercial service while monitoring the technology’s performance. The ship is expected to operate primarily on North and South Atlantic routes, allowing the carrier to collect operational data under real-world conditions.
Rotor sails, also known as Flettner rotors, use the Magnus effect to generate aerodynamic lift from wind. The resulting additional thrust can reduce the workload on the main engine, potentially lowering fuel consumption and emissions when wind conditions are favourable.
The trial will also provide Maersk with an opportunity to assess the practical challenges of using wind propulsion on a large containership, where deck space is heavily utilised for container operations. Data from the project will help determine the technology’s potential for wider application across the carrier’s fleet.
Anemoi has already deployed rotor sail technology in other commercial shipping segments. The company says its systems can deliver meaningful fuel and emissions savings, although actual performance depends on vessel characteristics, route, wind conditions and operating profile.
For Maersk, the project forms part of a broader effort to improve vessel efficiency and reduce emissions through multiple technologies. The company will use the pilot to evaluate whether wind-assisted propulsion can complement alternative fuels and other decarbonisation measures in deep-sea container shipping.