UK-based Anemoi Marine Technologies has entered into a joint design cooperation agreement with Chinese shipbuilder Hudong-Zhonghua for the design of rotor sails onboard two LNG carrier newbuildings.
The deal was signed on October 16 between Nick Contopoulos, chief operating officer of Anemoi, and Wang Jiaying, director of research and design department from Hudong-Zhonghua, at DongHua Technology building, according to a statement by Anemoi.
As part of the agreement, Anemoi will assess the feasibility and design of rotor sails for installation on LNG carriers.
Also, the firm will develop relevant specification requirements and designs that can be used for future installation projects in order to meet current and future environmental targets, it said.
In addition, this project is “hoped to boost the confidence of rotor sail technology for gas carrier owners and enable the smooth introduction of a new generation of efficient and environmentally friendly LNG carrier design,” the firm said.
Anemoi said rotor sails are “ideal” for modern LNG carriers due to the large amount of available deck space and limited impact on cargo operations.
The use of rotor sails provided by Anemoi has increased in recent months as shipowners look to make fuel and emission savings from their vessels by harnessing renewable wind power during voyages, it said.
As part of its plans to double LNG carrier production capacity, Hudong-Zhonghua aims to deliver two more LNG vessels by the end of this year for a total of six ships, setting a new record for the number of LNG carriers delivered in a year.
At present, there are 12 LNG vessels under construction at the yard.
