A.P. Moller–Maersk is taking wind-assisted propulsion into the container shipping sector through a new pilot project with British wind-propulsion company Anemoi Marine Technologies. Under the agreement, Anemoi will design, manufacture and supply a fixed Rotor Sail measuring 5 metres in diameter and 35 metres in height for installation on a Maersk 8,700-TEU Lima-class container vessel. The installation is scheduled for mid-2027, after which the system will be tested during the vessel’s regular commercial operations, with expected voyages across the North and South Atlantic.
The technology uses aerodynamic lift generated by a rotating cylinder to provide additional propulsion from wind, allowing the vessel to reduce fuel consumption and associated emissions when operating conditions are suitable. For Maersk, the project is particularly significant because Rotor Sails have already been used across other shipping segments, while their application on container vessels presents different operational challenges. Maersk’s Head of Fleet Technology, Ole Graa Jakobsen, described the pilot as an opportunity to gain practical experience and assess the technology’s potential for the wider fleet and container shipping more broadly.
The project also highlights how shipping companies are evaluating multiple technologies to improve vessel efficiency as the industry moves toward lower-emission operations. Anemoi says its Rotor Sails can provide additional thrust by harnessing wind power, while the company’s existing installations span vessel segments including bulk carriers. For the container sector, the Maersk pilot will provide a real-world opportunity to evaluate how wind-assisted propulsion performs within regular liner operations.