Tufton to retrofit bulker with Anemoi rotor sails

Three rotor sails will be mounted on rail system allowing them to be moved so as not to impact cargo operations

An 82,000 dwt Kamsarmax bulk carrier is to be retrofitted with three Anemoi Marine Technologies Ltd. rotor sails, under what is described as “a commercial agreement” signed by Anemoi and TR Lady Shipping Ltd., a portfolio company of Tufton Investment Management Ltd. Both Anemoi and Tufton are London based.

Under the agreement, the CS Marine designed bulker TR Lady, built in 2017 by Yangzijiang Shipbuilding Group and managed by Tufton, will be fitted with three large Anemoi rotor sails and Anemoi’s patented rail deployment system, allowing the sails to be moved across the deck to minimize their impact on port operations.

The rotor sails, also known as Flettner rotors, are vertical cylinders which, when driven to rotate, use the aerodynamic phenomenon known as the Magnus Effect to gain wind-powered forward thrust.harness the renewable power of the wind to provide additional forward thrust.

According to Anemoi, the sails will deliver significant fuel and emission savings to TR Lady.

TR Lady will be retrofitted with the rotor sails during scheduled dry docking of the vessel. Anemoi will provide full project management, supply and delivery of the system equipment. Work will be undertaken at a Chinese yard and is scheduled to be completed in mid-2022. Class approvals will be awarded by Lloyd’s Register.

“This landmark commercial agreement demonstrates Tufton’s confidence in our technology and proves their industry leadership and commitment to a decarbonized shipping industry,” said Kim Diederichsen, CEO of Anemoi Marine Technologies. “I am delighted to be working with a company that shares our environmental values and I look forward to a successful installation.”

“Tufton is committed to achieving IMO’s ambition of at least a 50% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 (compared to 2008 levels),” said Andrew Hampson, CEO of Tufton. “The commercial agreement with Anemoi is representative of Tufton’s capability to carefully select from a variety of environmentally friendly technologies in order to achieve commercial as well as environmental targets. I am pleased to work with Anemoi and look forward to a successful installation with the resulting reduction in emissions.”