Nissen Kaiun Becomes Stakeholder in Econowind
Japanese shipowner Nissen Kaiun has become a shareholder in Dutch Wind-Assisted Shipping Propulsion company Econowind. The Imabari-based shipping company, which operates a diversified fleet through several subsidiaries, said it had chosen Econowind for its technology.Econowind has developed the VentoFoil, a wing-shaped wind-assist device that drives decarbonization within the shipping markets. More than 130 units have been sold globally, with customers ranging from shortsea and…
Wind-Assist Newbuild Tanker Proves Potential
Union Maritime’s new wind-assist tanker Brands Hatch has completed its maiden voyage, achieving more than a third of its propulsion power from wind when conditions were favorable.The vessel is the first newbuild tanker installed with BAR Technologies’ WindWings®.Brands Hatch achieved significant fuel savings while maintaining strong sailing speeds in challenging weather.Union Maritime also employed sail-aware weather routing from Ascenz Marorka on the voyage. Whilst on global routes each WindWing can save an average of 1.5 tonnes of fuel per wing per day.
Econowind Receives Repeat Order From Terntank for Hybrid Tankers
Econowind has received a repeat order from Terntank for the installation of eight VentoFoil units on two additional methanol-ready hybrid tankers. Following the initial order in May 2023 for three newbuilds, this brings the total to five vessels and 20 VentoFoils, with each ship fitted with four 16-meter wind wings.The first vessel, Tern Vik, was delivered in April 2025 by China Merchants Jinling Shipyard (Yangzhou). The entire series is equipped with Kongsberg’s energy and propulsion management system. Under the K-Sail concept, wind can take the lead when conditions are favorable.
Danish Test Vessel to Help Collect Data for Sail Assisted Emission Reductions in Shipping
Real-life measurements, collected by the Cleanship project, will provide insights into the actual effect of wind-assisted sails on commercial vessels. Uni-Tankers’ M/T Jutlandia Swan has been equipped with four wing sails, known as VentoFoils. This marks a milestone in the Danish Cleanship project, funded by the Danish EPA’s MUDP program, which aims to collect new and more precise data on the practical effect of wingsails. The goal is to provide the shipping industry with a stronger foundation for reducing both fuel consumption and emissions.With the installation of the four sails…
