WAPS-equipped vessels show growth in 2025 - IWSA

There are currently 70 vessels equipped with wind-assisted propulsion systems (WAPS), with around 130 more on order, according to the International Windship Association.

IMAGE: Illustration of Union Maritime’s tanker with rigid sails. BAR Technologies

The organisation has noted that the vessel list on its website includes only those confirmed up to early 2025, and an update is expected soon to reflect the first quarter of 2025 installations and any revisions.

Of the 55 WAPS-equipped vessels listed, 37 are retrofits and 18 are newbuilds. Bulk carriers (16), general cargo ships (13), and roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) vessels (8) are the most common ship types using WAPS.

In terms of sail technology, rotor sails (26) and suction sails (14) dominate. Additionally, eight vessels are marked as wind-propulsion ready, meaning they are pre-equipped for easy installation of wind-assisted propulsion systems in the future.

Recent WAPS developments

This month, Bar Technologies and Brevik Engineering introduced a new liquid carbon dioxide (LCO2) carrier concept featuring a wind-assisted propulsion system.

In May, classification society Bureau Veritas (BV) approved the wind-assisted propulsion system developed by UK-based BAR Technologies. Meanwhile, Chilean shipping company Ultranav partnered with France-based Beyond the Sea to install a kite-based propulsion system on one of its chemical tankers.

By Tuhin Roy

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