Shipping companies are looking to wind power to propel vessels, a practice dating back thousands of years, as they face elevated energy costs and stricter environmental regulations. Technologies like giant kites, towering sails, and rotor sails are being developed or retrofitted to reduce reliance on fossil fuels. Enthusiasts believe these systems are crucial for achieving carbon emission targets in the supply chain.
Key players are already implementing these technologies. Maersk, which previously experimented with rotor sails on the Maersk Pelican in 2018 (resulting in an 8% fuel consumption drop), plans to install a 35-meter rotor sail on an 8,700-TEU container ship by 2027. Cargill is also set to deploy two folding sails on a bulk carrier. The International Windship Association reports over 100 merchant ships are now equipped with modern wind propulsion systems, collectively representing more than 5 million deadweight tons of carrying capacity.
While wind is free and systems can often be retrofitted, uncertainties remain. Industry observers question the extent of savings for large vessels carrying over 100,000 tonnes of cargo, as benefits depend on vessel, route, and weather. The cost of installation also holds back broader adoption, with Cargill's Jan Dieleman noting it could take seven years to recoup investment. Despite these challenges, analysts like Erik Grundt of Rystad Energy predict an "explosion in rotor sail adoption" due to new regulations such as the IMO's Carbon Intensity Indicator, which rates ships for carbon efficiency.
