First AirWing equipped ship is headed for Canada

Liverpool, U.K.-based GT Wings reports that the first of its AirWing wind-assisted propulsion systems (WAPS) has been installed aboard Carisbrooke Shipping’s M/V Vectis Progress. The vessel has now departed from Hull, U.K., and is en route to Bilbao, marking the start of a transatlantic journey to Canada.

Carisbrooke Shipping says that, for the past three years, it has been working in collaboration with GT Wings as a consortium member to develop, install, and certify a prototype wind propulsion...

https://www.marinelog.com/news/first-airwing-equipped-ship-is-headed-for-canada/

VIDEO: RMK Marine launches Neoline Origin wind powered RO/RO

Turkish shipbuilder RMK Marine has now launched Neoline Origin, the primarily-wind powered RO/RO ordered at the shipyard by Nantes, France, based Neoline in January 2023 (see earlier story).

Neoline places order for its first wind-powered RO/RO

The 136 meter long Neoliner will offer 1,200 lane meters (2.8 meters wide) of RO/RO capacity (equivalent to 321 cars), or 265 TEU, for a maximum weight of 5,300 tons of goods.

Promising fuel reductions of up to 80%, Neoline Origin will use the same...

https://www.marinelog.com/news/video-rmk-marine-launches-neoline-origin-wind-powered-ro-ro/

Anemoi completes world’s largest yet rotor sail retrofit

Anemoi rotor sails

Anemoi Marine Technologies has completed the installation of five of its rotor sails on the 400,000 dwt very large ore carrier (VLOC) Sohar Max. Built in 2012 at China’s Rongsheng shipyard, the first generation Valemax is the largest vessel to receive wind assisted propulsion system (WAPS) technology to date.

Vale goes for world’s largest wind propulsion installation yet

The project showcased global collaboration between the vessel’s charterer, Brazilian mining giant Vale S.A., Omani shipowner...

https://www.marinelog.com/news/anemoi-completes-worlds-largest-yet-rotor-sail-retrofit/

Anemoi names Clare Urmston its new CEO

Rotor sail specialist Anemoi Marine Technologies has named Clare Urmston as its new chief executive officer (CEO). After holding a number of executive and non-executive positions within the manufacturing, healthcare and consumer goods sectors, Urmston joined Anemoi in March 2020 as its chief financial officer and, in May 2024, became chief operating officer as part of the company’s growth into Asia.

She replaces Kim Diederichsen who is stepping down as CEO after more than five years in the role.

https://www.marinelog.com/news/anemoi-names-clare-urmston-its-new-ceo/

Wallenius Maritime carries out wind tunnel tests for world’s first sail-powered PCTC

wind tunnel test model

Sweden’s Wallenius Marine is getting nearer to achieving its goal of building the world’s first wind-powered PCTC (pure car and truck carrier). It is now conducting advanced wind tunnel tests to confirm its design. They are being carried out in Gothenburg by RISE Maritime Department (former SSPA), at one of Europe’s most advanced wind tunnels, with wind speeds of up to 250 km/h.

RISE Maritime has constructed a 5 x 2 meter model for the tests, using advanced technology. The model weighs 1.2 tons...

https://www.marinelog.com/technology/wallenius-maritime-carries-out-wind-tunnel-tests-for-worlds-first-sail-powered-pctc/

New agreement paves way for WindWings to expand in Japanese market

As adoption of wind-assisted propulsion systems (WAPS) ramps up, BAR Technologies’ WindWings could be set to get a significant slice of the Japanese market. It has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Mitsubishi Corporation, and Nihon Shipyard that sets a framework for further collaborations between the three following the successful installation of WindWings on Mitsubishi Corporation’s vessel Pyxis Ocean.

VIDEO: Cargill-chartered Pyxis Ocean is first ship to sail with WindWings

In...

https://www.marinelog.com/legal/environment/new-agreement-paves-way-for-windwings-to-expand-in-japanese-market/

With a new name, Chinook Oldendorff starts sailing with rotor sails

Oldendorff Carriers reports that it has now completed the successful installation and operational deployment of Norsepower rotor sails on the post-Panamax bulk carrier Chinook Oldendorff.

Through a joint agreement first announced in December 2023, when it was named Dietrich Oldendorff, the 2020-built vessel transports Elk Valley Resources (EVR) steelmaking coal from the Port of Vancouver to customers across the Pacific Ocean.

The vessel was renamed the Chinook Oldendorff to reflect the synergy...

https://www.marinelog.com/news/with-a-new-name-chinook-oldendorff-starts-sailing-with-rotor-sails/

Maersk Tankers places world’s largest yet suction sail order

In what will be the world’s largest deployment of suction sales to date, Maersk Tankers is to fit bound4blue eSAILs on five of its MR vessels, Each of the five tankers will be fitted with four 26-meter eSAILs, bringing Barcelona-headquartered bound4blue its largest wind assisted propulsion system (WAPS) contract to date.

Maersk Tankers identified the eSAIL as its solution of choice in partnership with green technology specialist Njord Solutions, which assessed and evaluated a broad range...

https://www.marinelog.com/news/maersk-tankers-places-worlds-largest-yet-suction-sail-order/

Grain de Sail plans to build 200 TEU pure sail containership

pure sail containership specs

Wind-assisted propulsion systems (WAPS) have been a lot in the news lately as more owners add hard sails or rotors to ships to meet major charterers’ needs to decarbonize. French coffee roaster and chocolatier Grain de Sail, however is going for what wind propulsion enthusiasts would consider the real deal — a pure sail containership. It has announced plans to construct its third vessel, the Grain de Sail III. It will operate completely under sail (except for port and channel maneuvers),

The...

https://www.marinelog.com/legal/environment/grain-de-sail-plans-to-build-200-teu-pure-sail-containership/

Chevron and MOL in LNG carrier wind assistance world first

Wind assistance is finding favor in an ever growing range of vessel types and trades. It’s now reaching the LNG sector, where Chevron Shipping Company LLC, a subsidiary of Chevron U.S.A. Inc., and Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) have reached an agreement to install a Wind Challenger hard sail wind-assisted ship propulsion system on a new build 174,000 cubic meter LNG carrier.

The vessel is under long term charter from MOL Encean Pte. Ltd. (a MOL 100% indirectly owned subsidiary) to Chevron Asia...

https://www.marinelog.com/news/chevron-and-mol-in-lng-carrier-wind-assistance-world-first/