Back to the future: wind propulsion seeking resurgence at SMM 2024

A recent report dealing with energy efficiency, produced by classification society Lloyd’s Register, notes the progress made by wind-assisted propulsion systems with the industry closing in on nearly a hundred installations across vessel types.

Despite the growth of wind-assisted propulsion’s niche segment within shipping’s decarbonisation technology market, Lloyd’s Register’s report cited what it labelled concerns and challenges that accompany the technology’s deployment to market, noting the absence of a standard for verifying potential fuel savings is creating uncertainty for operators looking to select technologies.

Nevertheless, the class society believes wind-assissted propulsion is likely to increase rapidly, driven by growing yard and operator familiarity and scaling production.

IWSA claims recent market developments show “a clear signal that a far more varied collection of market stakeholders are showing interest in wind propulsion technology.”

Between 2019 and 2023, 29 vessels saw wind-assisted propulsion systems installed, but 72 systems have been ordered for vessels under construction.

IWSA said it is starting to see small fleet orders being made by shipowners, not only single-ship deployments. By the end of July 2024, the number of installations totalled 45 vessels, in addition to 10 wind-ready vessels, with a combined total of over 3M dwt, indicating a three-fold increase in installations over the previous 12-month period. These are complemented by 10 small, traditionally rigged cruise vessels and dozens of small sail cargo and fisheries vessels.

IWSA secretary general, Gavin Allwright said, “So far this year, we have witnessed new project announcements, order confirmations, and installation celebrations almost every week. This is a sector of technology development and renewable energy use that is clearly embarking on a voyage propelled by the prevailing winds rather than one still being buffeted by headwinds.”

According to recent Clarksons data, at least 33% of the world’s ships are fitted with a form of energy-saving device by gross tonnage, but the number of vessels is only 8,700, compared with a global fleet of 110,500.

Mr Allwright said, “This edition of the SMM trade fair presents us with the perfect opportunity to get up to speed with the latest wind-propulsion technology and market developments. We are delighted to see so many IWSA members present on the exhibition floor and on various conference programmes, complemented by a raft of member-hosted events. In fact, it will be difficult to choose what to go to and avoid wind-propulsion related scheduling conflicts.”  

Thirty-seven IWSA members will be exhibiting at SMM in Hamburg between 3-6 September 2024. And IWSA is inviting SMM attendees to stand A3.108 to listen to a variety of presentations from IWSA members on 4 September and 5 September.

Complementing SMM 2024 is the Windship Day conference, hosted by MARIKO, Hochschule Emden Leer, Fraunhofer IWES and Green Shipping Niedersachsen on board the tallship SV Peking on 4 September. A further external event highlight will be an invitation-only event held onboard the wind-assisted vessel, EEMS Traveller on 3 September 2024.

Riviera’s Maritime Decarbonisation Conference, Europe 2024 will be held in Amsterdam, 24-25 September 2024. Click here for more information on this industry-leading event.