U-Ming Marine Transport has installed four Anemoi Rotor Sails on its 325,000 DWT Very Large Ore Carrier Grand Pioneer. The installation took place at COSCO Zhoushan Shipyard. U-Ming is the first Taiwanese shipowner to adopt this wind-assist technology.
The Rotor Sails are 35 metres tall and 5 metres wide. Anemoi delivered them fully assembled from its Yangtze River facility. They arrived by barge and were lifted directly onto the vessel. The plug-and-play process cut installation time. It took only 1.5 days to secure the sails. Commissioning and testing required another five days during scheduled dry-docking in September 2025.
Anemoi’s team oversaw the installation and will sail with Grand Pioneer to Singapore. They will train the crew and support a smooth handover.
Vice Chairman Jeff Hsu said U-Ming is committed to reducing emissions and boosting efficiency. “This step turns our decarbonisation strategy into action,” he noted.
Anemoi CEO Clare Urmston praised the project as proof of momentum for wind propulsion. “U-Ming’s adoption shows strong leadership and focus on sustainability,” she said.
The vessel will return to service on the Brazil–China route under charter to Vale. The Rotor Sails are expected to cut fuel use and CO₂ emissions by 10–12% each year.
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