Union Maritime picks Anemoi Rotor Sails for chemical tankers

Wind-Assisted Propulsion for New Tankers

Union Maritime has selected Anemoi Marine Technologies to supply Rotor Sails for two new-build chemical tankers currently under construction at Wuhu Shipyard in China, according to a report by Ship Technology. Each vessel will carry two EX-rated Rotor Sails measuring 3.5 metres in diameter, with one set standing 20.5 metres tall and the other 24 metres.

The sails are being produced at Anemoi’s facility in China and are scheduled for installation at the shipyard in early 2026. China-based consultancy Odely Marine handled the design work required to integrate the rotor sail systems into the new tankers. Anemoi said adjustments were made to its previous foundation arrangements to allow the units to be fitted on these particular ships.

Part of a Broader Sustainability Push

The decision to adopt wind-assisted propulsion is linked to Union Maritime’s effort to go beyond the International Maritime Organization’s 2030 emissions checkpoint, which calls for at least a 20% cut in greenhouse gas emissions compared with 2008 levels, along with a requirement that a minimum of 5% of energy used comes from zero- or near-zero-emission sources.

Union Maritime chief technical officer Bhuvnesh Dogra said wind propulsion sits at the centre of the company’s sustainability roadmap, tying the Anemoi partnership to its Project AeroPower initiative. He described the collaboration as reflecting the company’s pursuit of scalable innovation aimed at building what he called “the most energy-efficient fleet on the water.”

Anemoi’s Perspective

Anemoi chief executive Clare Urmston said the partnership demonstrates what is achievable when ship owners commit early to wind-assisted propulsion, noting that Rotor Sails were incorporated into the vessel design from the outset rather than retrofitted later. She said the project reflects the operational benefits of the technology and sets a benchmark for efficient chemical tanker design.

Union Maritime is reported to have chosen Anemoi following a review of multiple wind-propulsion technologies before finalising the partnership for these two vessels.

Apeks view — Newbuild integration of rotor sails, rather than later retrofit, is the detail worth noting here: designing foundations and structural loads in from the outset avoids the compromises that come with adding technology after the fact. For owners weighing wind-assist, the real proof will be operational fuel and emissions data once these tankers sail, not the announcement itself. Efficiency claims tied to IMO 2030 targets deserve tracking against measured performance over time.