Maersk is bringing wind-assisted propulsion to its containership fleet for the first time, with a “rotor sail” set to be installed on an 8,700-TEU vessel in mid-2027.
The company has signed an agreement with Anemoi Marine Technologies to retrofit the system on a Maersk Lima-class ship. The fixed rotor sail will stand 35 metres tall and measure five metres in diameter.
The vessel will test the technology during normal commercial operations, primarily on expected North and South Atlantic routes. Maersk will assess its impact on fuel consumption, emissions, cargo operations, service speeds and schedule reliability.
The system uses a rotating vertical cylinder rather than a conventional sail. When wind passes around the spinning cylinder, it generates lift through the Magnus effect. That lift can provide additional thrust, reducing the power required from the ship's main engine.
The pilot will use one rotor sail. Large vessels typically use three to five units, making this a controlled trial before any wider rollout. Maersk is targeting net-zero emissions by 2040.
