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 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. However, vessels with WAPS integrated into the design offer even greater opportunities for optimization. Currently, 75% of the WAPS fleet are retrofits, primarily tankers and general cargo vessels. Rotor sails have been the preferred technology for the bulk and tanker sectors (54% share of systems installed), while suction sails are the main choice for general cargo ships (67%).
Hasso Hoffmeister, Senior Principal Engineer at DNV, stated: “Current WAPS technologies use advanced control and automation systems, combining aerodynamics, automation, computer modelling and modern materials. Today, these technologies are not widely adopted but show significant promise as a component in hybrid propulsion systems. Looking ahead, we might see
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