Maersk to test wind rotors on container ships in 2027

Maersk plans to test wind-assisted propulsion technology on a container ship in 2027 to reduce fuel consumption. The trial will involve a 35-meter-tall steel cylinder that utilizes the Magnus effect to provide extra thrust.

By rotating the cylinder, wind pressure differentials create an impulse that assists the ship's main engine. The test will be conducted on a vessel capable of carrying 8,700 containers as it traverses Atlantic trade routes. Maersk intends to use the data gathered from this real-world application to determine if the technology can be scaled across its fleet of more than 700 ships.