Maersk tests spinning cylinders to reduce fuel costs on cargo ships
Maersk is testing large spinning cylinders, known as rotor sails, to cut fuel consumption on its cargo ships. The technology harnesses wind power and aims to reduce emissions.
Shipping giant Maersk is undertaking a large-scale test of spinning cylinder sails, known as rotor sails, to reduce fuel consumption on its cargo vessels.
The installation will be aboard a Maersk cargo ship carrying 8,700 containers. The rotor sails, manufactured by UK-based Anemoi, stand 10 to 12 stories tall and utilize wind power to decrease the ship's reliance on fossil fuels. This technology emerges as shipping fuel costs have risen significantly, partly due to geopolitical tensions.
Rotor sails operate on aerodynamic principles: as the cylinder spins, it speeds up airflow on one side and slows it on the other. This creates a pressure difference that propels the ship forward. A single rotor sail can reduce daily fuel consumption by up to one ton, depending on wind conditions, leading to a proportional decrease in CO2 emissions.
While rotor sails do not transform a cargo ship into a sailing vessel, the fuel savings can be substantial, potentially amounting to hundreds of thousands of dollars per vessel annually. The payback period for the devices is typically five years, but can shorten in regions with stricter emissions regulations.
Anemoi has previously worked with other vessel types, but this marks their first rotor sail installation on a container ship. Maersk's test vessel's performance will be monitored on its Atlantic routes following the installation, scheduled for mid-2027. The technology could also support future transitions to lower-carbon fuels.