Wind Propulsion News

As the International Maritime Organization (IMO) prepares to meet in London from March 31 to April 11 to finalize measures for its greenhouse gas (GHG) strategy, a new report by marine NGO Seas At Risk shows the economic and climate benefits of using wind-assisted propulsion to power global shipping.The ‘Wind First!’ study shows that retrofitting sails on large, existing vessels can save close to half a million U.S. dollars on fuel costs and reduce fuel consumption and carbon emissions by up to 12%…

DNV is inviting feedback on its newly-released Recommended Practice (RP) to assess the performance of wind-assisted propulsion systems (WAPS).The new RP has been developed to provide a basis for reliably determining the ability of different technologies to deliver efficiency gains when installed onboard.Johanna Tranell, WAPS Performance Assessment Lead at DNV Maritime, says the new RP establishes a practical, reliable standard that helps generate transparent, verifiable data,…

Wind assisted ship propulsion (WASP) pioneer Blue Wasp Marine announced the launch of its latest software tool, Pelican Suite, which will enable vessel owners, operators and charterers to assess and optimize a range of WASP solutions.Pelican Suite hosts a collection of tools to assess the suitability of WASP solutions, both pre- and post-installation. It provides important insights such as the probability that a certain rudder angle or grid load is exceeded, or which routes are more favorable for wind assistance.

bound4blue and Odfjell have partnered to complete the first installation of a wind propulsion system for the chemical tanker specialist, with four of bound4blue’s eSAILs retrofitted on the 49’k dwt Bow OlympusThe 22-meter-tall suction sails will help the advanced vessel achieve significant fuel savings, unlocking commercial, environmental and regulatory advantage. A tailored two-step installation process was deployed to accommodate the vessel’s schedule, with the installation completed in just two days.Firstly…

Spanish wind propulsion systems supplier bound4blue has installed its eSAIL wind assisted propulsion system on Pacific Sentinel tanker, owned by Eastern Pacific Shipping (EPS).Three 22-meter, DNV-Type Approved eSAILs were installed on the 50,000 dwt Pacific Sentinel in under a day per unit, as planned, bound4blue said.The installation occurred during a scheduled vessel drydock, with preparatory work completed in advance.The fully autonomous wind assisted propulsion system will…

Following the launch of the new 20m and 24m WindWings in September 2024, BAR Technologies and CM Energy Tech Co., Ltd (CMET) entered into a collaboration agreement to begin production of these models, responding to the surge in market demand from shipowners and operators of Handymax bulkers, chemical tankers, and general cargo vessels. The introduction of these new models is aimed at broadening the vessel range able to access wind-assisted propulsion is accessible to a broader…

BAR Technologies, a developer of wind propulsion systems and maritime decarbonization solutions, has expanded its team as it gears up for further growth in 2025.The company made 20 new hires in 2024, including new Sales and Marketing team, four Naval Architects, and 13 engineers, following an increase in global demand for its technologies.Among the notable hires is Tom James, who joined as Sales Director in early 2024. A Chartered Engineer and fellow of the Royal Institution of Naval Architects…

A surge in industry interest combined with systems builders and yards scaling up production and installation capacity, is set to accelerate growth in orders for wind-assisted propulsion systems (WAPS), says DNV in a new whitepaper that examines the technologies, their onboard implementation and potential fuel savings.There has been a rapid uptake of WAPS in the global fleet since 2021, with 52 seagoing ships now in operation and 97 newbuilds with WAPS in the orderbook (as of January 2025).Retrofitting WAPS is possible for almost any ship with sufficient deck space and unobstructed airflow.

Econowind has surpassed 100 VentoFoil units sold, marking a major milestone in the shipping industry’s shift towards Wind-Assisted Ship Propulsion. Since the first two units were installed on MV Ankie in 2018, Econowind has steadily expanded its reach. Today, 32 VentoFoil units are in operation, 33 are in production or ready for installation, and another 37 are set for delivery in 2025. The VentoFoil technology has been successfully deployed on bulk carriers, tankers, RoRo, and container vessels.

The multi-purpose vessel Prima Verde, said to be the world’s first vessel able to run on marine gas oil (MGO) and wind assisted propulsion simultaneously, has been delivered.Operated by Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) company MOL Drybulk and owned by Daishin Shipping, the vessel), was delivered at Onomichi Dockyard.The vessel has a range of environmentally friendly features, and is the world's first vessel of any type to use green steel materials, an engine that can run exclusively on marine gas oil (MGO) and a wind assisted vessel propulsion system.JGreeX…

Marine and energy services firm Goltens has hosted a keel-laying ceremony on for the innovative Polar expedition vessel Captain Arctic, which has been purpose-designed for sustainable maritime travel.The ceremony, held in November, welcomed CEO Sophie Galvagnon and Technical Director Pierrick Delaunay of the ship's French owner, Selar, while Goltens' shipbuilder client, Chantier Naval de l'Ocean Indien (CNOI), was represented by Managing Director Frank Piriou, Deputy General Director Nicolas Perrier and Project Leader Jean Charles Davy.Representatives of the vessel's classification society…

Wallenius Marine is conducting advanced wind tunnel tests aimed at realising the world’s first wind-powered pure car and truck carrier (PCTC).The tests are being carried out in Gothenburg, Sweden, at one of Europe’s most advanced wind tunnels, with wind speeds of up to 250 km/h.Wallenius Marine is gathered with experts from RISE KTH, and Oceanbird in Gothenburg for a series of tests that will confirm the design and contribute to the development of new data simulation models for wind-powered ships.The tests are being conducted by RISE Maritime Department (formerly SSPA)…

WindWaves will manufacture, sell and deliver BAR Technologies’ new 20m and 24m WindWings® wing sails in Europe. In February this year the two companies announced a similar deal for the larger 37.5m WindWings.WindWaves will manage the value chain of procurement and construction of 20m and 24m WindWings and their installation at shipyards across Europe. Additionally, WindWaves will manage the servicing of WindWings during their operational life cycle, alongside crew training on…

Spanish wind propulsion systems supplier bound4blue has secured a major retrofit contract with Maersk Tankers, which includes the installation of 20 eSAIL wind assisted propulsion systems on five tankers.bound4blue’s type approved eSAIL suction sails are to be installed on Maersk's tankers in 2025 and 2026.Maersk identified the eSAIL as a solution of choice in partnership with green technology catalyst Njord, who assessed and evaluated a broad range wind-assisted propulsion systems…

A subsidiary of Klaveness Combination Carriers ASA (KCC) has finalized an agreement with Jiangsu New Yangzi Shipbuilding Co. Ltd. and Jiangsu Yangzi Xinfu Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. to incorporate its first-ever Wind Assisted Propulsion System (WAPS), featuring two bound4blue eSAIL suction sails, on the third CABU III newbuilding.Slated for delivery in Q3 2026, the newbuild will be among the first tanker/dry bulk ships to utilize bound4blue’s WAPS technology, and the two eSAIL units will be the tallest suction sails installed to date…

Amasus has signed a fresh eSAIL (suction sail) contract with Spain’s bound4blue. Under the new agreement, a 22-meter unit will be retrofitted on a 90-meter, 3,000 dwt vessel at Astander Shipyard in Santander, scheduled for mid-2025. The installation will set a new benchmark as the largest suction sail system on a general cargo vessel.Amasus sealed the deal with bound4blue after assessing the impact of its first suction sails on Eems Traveller, which has been sailing with two 17-meter eSAILs since July 2023.

NS United Kaiun Kaisha (NSU) and Vale have reached an agreement to install rotor sails from Anemoi Marine Technologies on 400,000dwt-type very large ore carrier (VLOC).The VLOC NSU TUBARAO has been engaged in a long-term transportation contract between NSU and Vale since its delivery in September 2020.A rotor sail is a device for obtaining propulsion by using the pressure difference generated around a cylinder by rotating a cylindrical sail installed on the deck. It is expected…

Singapore-based liner company Ocean Network Express (ONE) has released its Sustainability Report 2024 which indicates that it has achieved a 62% reduction in Scope 1 emissions intensity in FY2023 from a 2008 baseline.These efforts have yielded a 21% reduction in emissions intensity from 2018 to 2023.ONE has also received approval in principle for an ammonia dual vessel along with an investment in 12 13,000 TEU methanol dual-fueled vessels. The newly constructed container ships are slated for delivery in 2027.

Anthony Veder has retrofitted two sails on the ethylene carrier Coral Patula.With this installation by Econowind, Anthony Veder is the first company worldwide to install sails onboard a gas carrier. Later this year sister ship Coral Pearl will be equipped with two similar sails.The system is designed to work alongside existing engines, providing a boost in propulsion through the power of wind. The company anticipates fuel savings of around 5%, with the potential of more than 10% in optimal wind conditions.Björn van de Weerdhof…

Two mechanical sails have been installed on board Jumbo's heavy lift vessel (HLV) Jumbo Jubilee. The wind assisted ship propulsion (WASP) solution is the latest in a series of innovative technologies installed to the vessel in a bid to boost fuel efficiency and cut carbon.Jumbo is committed to advancing sustainable heavy-lift shipping with innovative energy-saving and decarbonization initiatives across its fleet, said Jumbo Maritime CEO Daan Kornneef.“At Jumbo, we believe that every step towards sustainability is crucial.

Classification society DNV has awarded Hanwha Ocean Type Approval Design Certification (TADC) for its innovative rotor sail technology, the first certification of a rotor sail approved for installation in hazardous zones in South Korea.The TADC confirms that Hanwha Ocean's Rotor Sail, designed with composite materials, is in line with DNV and international safety standards, guidelines and regulations and ready for practical application on commercial vessels. The certification process involved detailed design reviews and assessments…

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) and Chevron Shipping Company, a subsidiary of oil and gas giant Chevron, have signed an agreement to install Wind Challenger to a newbuild LNG carrier, which will become world’s first LNG carrier equipped with wind-assisted propulsions system.The is under long term charter from MOL Encean to Chevron Asia Pacific Shipping, and is currently under construction at the Geoje Shipyard of Hanwha Ocean, scheduled for delivery in 2026.In August 2024, MOL obtained…

Wind-assisted propulsion systems developer Anemoi Marine Technologies has secured a Type Approval Design Certificate from classification society DNV for its Rotor Sail design.The Type Approval Design Certificate (TADC) validates that Anemoi's 5x35m Rotor Sail design complies with DNV's technical standard (ST-0511) for Wind Assisted Propulsion Systems (WAPS).In May 2024, Anemoi's 5x35m Rotor Sail was installed on the DNV-classed bulk carrier Berge Neblina, owned by Berge Bulk,…