According to wind propulsion system developer Anemoi, with the maritime industry facing the implementation of Fuel EU Maritime from 1 January 2025, vessel owners and operators are actively seeking proven solutions to meet increasingly stringent emissions requirements.
This latest regulation requires ships above 5,000gt operating in EU waters to significantly reduce GHG intensity over time, starting with a 2% reduction from 2025-2029 and accelerating to an 80% reduction by 2050. According to DNV’s latest analysis, wind-assisted propulsion systems (WAPS) like rotor sails are emerging as one of the most cost-effective compliance strategies available to shipowners. The study demonstrates that vessels equipped with rotor sails can achieve:
- Improved well-to-wake GHG intensity scores
- A 5% reward factor under FuelEU Maritime regulations
- Significant annual cost savings that increase as requirements become stricter.
Anemoi’s own research shows that if rotor sails were installed on every suitable vessel in the world fleet, the average savings per year would be 17m tonnes of fuel, and 56m tonnes of carbon. Importantly, in the context of FuelEU Maritime, vessels with rotor sails can generate compliance surpluses in the early years of the regulation, which can either be banked for future use or pooled with other vessels. This provides shipowners with valuable flexibility in compliance strategy while potentially creating additional revenue streams through the trading of compliance credits.
The analysis reveals that combining rotor sails with other measures like biofuels results in lower total costs compared to using alternative fuels alone. As FuelEU Maritime requirements become more stringent over time, the economic case for wind propulsion becomes even more compelling.
Luke McEwen, Technical Director, Anemoi said: “These findings reinforce what Anemoi have long maintained. Rotor sails offer shipowners a proven, commercially viable path to regulatory compliance while delivering measurable fuel savings.”
With FuelEU Maritime implemented, Anemoi says that the time for action is now; vessel owners need to carefully evaluate their compliance strategies, considering both the immediate and long-term implications of their chosen solutions. rotor sails, with their demonstrated effectiveness and regulatory recognition, stand ready to play a vital role in the industry’s decarbonisation journey.
Image: Rotor sails by Anemoi on bulk carrier (source: Anemoi)
