In our “Maritime News” posts, we feature important, up-to-date news we need to share.
As ports, marinas, and harbor operations aim to reduce their environmental impact, they’ve had to set a new goal: establishing a new infrastructure that will support the necessary changes in vehicles and equipment.
Wind-assisted propulsion is central to the design, and the six rotor sails fitted to each vessel, each standing 35 meters tall, are supplied by Norsepower of Finland, the company that has done more than any other to commercialize the modern Flettner rotor.
Over the last two years the Center for Post Carbon Logistics, Inc. (CPCL) has
been working to develop regional near-zero emission maritime trade. Because of the
headwinds of policy and disappearing funding for anything climate related from the
federal government, we have pivoted to a strategy of seeking regional funding for a
fleet of near-zero emission ships working the waterways of the Northeast US.
Anemoi Marine Technologies has marked a major milestone for wind-assisted propulsion as M/V Afros, the world’s first bulk carrier fitted with Rotor Sails, successfully completed its second intermediate survey after more than eight years of continuous operation.
By Rik van Hemmen, Vice President and Partner, MARTIN, OTTAWAY, van HEMMEN & DOLAN, INC., Originally published in Surveyors Notebook. © 2026 Martin, Ottaway, van
Rigorous sea trials of the demo system give Smart Green Shipping confidence in performance warranties
