- U-Ming installs Anemoi Rotor Sails on its Grand Pioneer VLOC, the first Taiwanese owner to adopt the tech.
- Installation completed in record time with sails operational for maiden voyage.
- Rotor Sails expected to cut fuel consumption and emissions by 10–12% annually.
U-Ming Marine Transport Corporation (U-Ming), in partnership with Anemoi Marine Technologies Ltd. (Anemoi), has successfully installed Rotor Sails on its 325,000 DWT Very Large Ore Carrier (VLOC) Grand Pioneer. This milestone positions U-Ming as the first Taiwanese shipowner to adopt Rotor Sail technology, demonstrating its role as a frontrunner in sustainable shipping innovation.
Streamlined Installation at COSCO Zhoushan
The four folding Rotor Sails, each 35 meters high and 5 meters in diameter, were pre-assembled and dynamically balanced at Anemoi’s Yangtze River facility before being transported to COSCO Zhoushan Shipyard. Leveraging Anemoi’s plug-and-play installation process, the sails were lifted directly onto the vessel’s deck and secured within 1.5 days. An additional 5 days were required for commissioning and testing, coordinated with the vessel’s scheduled dry-docking in September 2025.
Anemoi’s technical team supervised the entire process and will accompany the vessel on its maiden voyage from Zhoushan to Singapore to oversee crew training and ensure seamless operational handover.
Industry Perspectives
Jeff Hsu, Vice Chairman of U-Ming, emphasized:
“The installation of Rotor Sails on Grand Pioneer marks a key step in our decarbonisation pathway. By collaborating with Anemoi, we are reducing emissions, improving efficiency, and delivering long-term value. This reflects our belief in a sustainable and competitive shipping future aligned with net-zero goals.”
Clare Urmston, CEO of Anemoi, noted:
“U-Ming’s adoption of Rotor Sails as the first in Taiwan highlights their ambition and leadership in decarbonisation. Our pre-assembled installation model reduces yard time while maximising efficiency. This project reinforces the growing role of wind propulsion in achieving lower-emission shipping.”
Path to Net-Zero
Following installation, the Grand Pioneer will re-enter service on its Brazil–China trade route under long-term charter with Vale. The vessel is expected to cut annual fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions by 10–12%, showcasing the tangible benefits of wind-assisted propulsion.This achievement highlights the power of collaboration between shipowners and technology providers in accelerating the maritime sector’s journey toward net-zero by 2050.
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Source: American Journal of Transportation
