The Rise of Wind-Assisted Propulsion Systems in the Maritime Industry
A new 49-page white paper from DNV reveals the significant uptake of wind-assist propulsion systems (WAPS) in the 2020s and provides insights into how this fuel-saving technology could evolve in the coming years.
According to the white paper, wind-assisted propulsion has already proven to deliver annual fuel savings ranging from 5% to 20% for certain ships.
The adoption of WAPS in the global fleet has been rapidly increasing since 2021, with 52 seagoing ships currently utilizing the technology and 97 newbuilds with WAPS in the order book as of January 2025. Additionally, many more ships are slated for retrofitting, with 75% of the existing WAPS fleet being retrofits.
For bulkers and tankers, rotor sails are the dominant WAPS technology, accounting for 54% of installations, while suction sails are prevalent in general cargo ships at 67%. Overall, rotor sails make up nearly 50% of the current uptake of WAPS.
A tenfold increase in newbuilds with WAPS is expected between 2024 and 2025, with a significant number of orders already in the pipeline for 2026 and 2027, as per DNV data.
In the long term, DNV envisions the emergence of “wind corridors” that could potentially be navigated by autonomous and unmanned ships. These futuristic vessels, operating without traditional ship bridges, would experience reduced wind resistance. Moreover, having a smaller crew would lower auxiliary energy demand, and the reduced onboard facilities would save space and weight.
However, DNV cautions that transitioning to 100% wind-powered vessels on specific routes may not be suitable for all cargo types, especially perishable goods. This shift would require a significant departure from current practices of direct routes at high speeds.
