Focus is on Asia

China, Japan and South Korea together account for more than 90% of global new build production. This also logically affects the development and production of modern wind propulsion systems.

Britain’s Anemoi and Finland’s Norsepower are currently the leading players in rotor sails. Both companies are now setting up production facilities in China, both to meet growing demand and because a large part of the world fleet is built there. A similar development is visible at Dutch company Econowind, in which Japanese shipping company Nissen Kaiun now has a stake. The engineering startup, which was founded in 2018 as part of ship designer Conoship International, has also recruited new leadership over the past year to focus on commercial growth and a move into China.

Local parties

However, local parties are not sitting still either. Chinese manufacturer Dealfeng has been active for some time and recently partnered with shipping company Hungze. In addition, South Korean Hyundai Heavy Industries developed its own rotor system a few years ago, although it has not yet been put to practical use. CSSC (China State Shipbuilding Corporation) recently demonstrated a prototype of a 35-metre rotor sail. We have not even counted the various Asian-based fixed-wing sail installations that are already operational.

Composite

China State Shipbuilding Corporation launches a large rotor sail. Two subsidiaries of China State Shipbuilding Corporation, Sunrui Composites and Sunrui Environment, aim to lead the way in maritime new power equipment made of high-performance composite materials. In Dalian, in Liaoning province, they are developing what they say is the “World’s Largest rotor sail” made entirely of composite materials.
The new rotor sail has an outer diameter of 5 metres and a height of 35 metres. It offers extensive energy efficiency thanks to its lightweight design. Its quality and dimensional consistency meet international standards.

The growing interest in China is also reflected in patent applications; for example, the CSIC (China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation) recently applied for a modular suction-sail system.
And South Korean shipbuilder Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) has received design approval from the Korean Register of Shipping (KR) for its ‘Hi-Rotor’, an independently developed model of a rotor sail. The shipbuilder said it will seek product orders based on the design approval.

Sources: Jeccomposites, Offshore-energies, Tradewindsnews, HHI, Google patents.
Image: JEC.

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