Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
A First for Taiwan’s Shipping Sector
U-Ming Marine Transport Corporation has become the first Taiwanese shipowner to install Rotor Sails, completing the retrofit on its Grand Pioneer, a 325,000 DWT Very Large Ore Carrier (VLOC), at COSCO Zhoushan Shipyard. The move marks a significant step in U-Ming’s decarbonisation strategy and positions the company as an early adopter of wind propulsion in Asia.
Plug-and-Play at Scale
The four towering sails—each 35 meters tall and 5 meters in diameter—were delivered fully assembled from Anemoi Marine Technologies’ production base on the Yangtze River. Transported by barge, the sails were lifted directly onto the vessel in what Anemoi describes as a “plug-and-play” process.
For shipyards, time is money. Instead of lengthy retrofitting, installation took only 1.5 days to secure the sails, followed by five more days of commissioning and testing. That efficiency is more than a technical achievement; it’s an example of how innovation can fit into the tight schedules of commercial shipping.
Training on the Move
Anemoi’s team stayed on-site to oversee installation and will sail with the vessel on its maiden voyage from Zhoushan to Singapore. Their goal is to ensure the crew is fully trained and confident in operating the technology. It’s not every day that a seafarer learns to handle 35-meter spinning columns that harness the wind—an unfamiliar but increasingly vital skill set in a decarbonising industry.
Voices from the Bridge
“This installation marks an important step in U-Ming’s decarbonisation journey,” said Jeff Hsu, Vice Chairman of U-Ming. “We are turning strategy into action by reducing emissions, enhancing efficiency, and delivering long-term value.”
For Clare Urmston, CEO of Anemoi, the project demonstrates momentum in wind propulsion. “U-Ming’s decision to adopt Rotor Sails, particularly as the first in the Taiwanese market, demonstrates their strength and clear focus on decarbonisation. We look forward to analysing performance data from upcoming voyages.”
From Brazil to China
Once back in service, the Grand Pioneer will resume its deep-sea trade between Brazil and China under a long-term charter with mining company Vale. The vessel is expected to cut annual fuel consumption and emissions by roughly 10–12%—numbers that carry real weight in a sector facing tightening emissions rules.
UK Backing for Decarbonisation
This installation was also supported by the UK Government’s UK SHORE programme, which has invested more than £230 million into low-emission maritime projects since 2022. With backing from Innovate UK, the initiative is funding hundreds of organisations across shipyards, ports, and technology providers. For a sector often described as slow to change, these kinds of international collaborations point to a different future.
