Amrit Kaur Bhullar Appointed as CEO of Oceanbird
Oceanbird, the wind propulsion technology joint venture between Alfa Laval and Wallenius, has announced the appointment of Amrit Kaur Bhullar as its new chief executive officer. Bhullar, currently serving as senior vice president for business development and group innovation at Norwegian shipbuilder Vard, will officially assume her new role on January 1, 2026. This appointment comes as Oceanbird transitions from early-stage development to full commercialization.
Bhullar, with 15 years of experience in Norway and a strong background in business development in the shipping industry, is set to lead Oceanbird in scaling its operations as the demand for wind propulsion solutions continues to grow.
The company recently achieved a significant milestone with the unveiling of its first land-based wing sail in Landskrona, Sweden, on August 25, 2025. This 40-meter-tall and 14-meter-wide rigid sail, made from glass fiber composites and recycled PET, incorporates 370,000 recycled plastic bottles.
Oceanbird’s inaugural installation at sea is scheduled to take place on the Wallenius car carrier Tirranna in early 2026.
Speaking on her new role, Bhullar emphasized the importance of delivering an effective prototype while also focusing on scalability and growth. She highlighted the company’s potential for expansion through developing a scalable product portfolio, implementing cost-effective production models, and offering aftermarket and upgrade solutions.
With wind propulsion’s versatility across vessel types and compatibility with other low-emission solutions, Oceanbird is poised for substantial growth. Bhullar also stressed the significance of partnerships in driving the company’s success.
Oceanbird’s rigid wing sail technology leverages air pressure to generate forward thrust, leading to reduced fuel consumption. The company estimates that a single sail on an existing vessel could result in up to 10% savings in fuel and emissions on favorable routes.
Erik Nøklebye, chairman of the Oceanbird board and CEO of Wallenius Lines, expressed confidence in Bhullar’s leadership, stating, “Amrit’s maritime experience aligns well with Oceanbird’s vision, and we are excited about the strategic direction she will lead us in as we strive to become a leader in this groundbreaking industry.”
As Bhullar assumes the CEO position, Oceanbird’s current interim CEO, Magnus MackAldener, will continue in his role as head of research and development following the departure of Niclas Dahl earlier this year.