The Japanese shipping company Nissen Kaiun has acquired a stake in the Dutch wind assist pioneer Econowind. Financial details of the transaction was not disclosed.
The partner see the step as underlining the Imabari-based company’s interest in fuel-neutral technologies.
“We have recognized that Econowind has a mature solution for wind-assisted ship propulsion on the market,” explained a spokesperson for Nissen Kaiun. “As one of the market leaders, Econowind delivers proven technology. Making shipping more sustainable is a top priority for Nissen Kaiun. We are currently looking into installing the large version of their innovative VentoFoils on our vessels. These are well suited to maritime conditions and easy for the crew to operate. The technology enables us to take steps to reduce fuel consumption and emissions.”
More than 130 ships already equipped with “wings”
To date, Econowind has sold more than 130 units of its wing profiles, which are used on short and deep-sea vessels in various market segments. The patented VentoFoil technology uses suction-based airflow control to achieve scalable, cost-effective energy savings. According to the company, more than 100 units have been sold to date. Econowind has started with short sea shipping and is now preparing to deploy larger VentoFoil units, up to 30 meters in length, to meet the demands of ocean shipping. These systems are designed to complement alternative fuels by helping to offset energy costs and compensate for the space required for larger fuel tanks.
“The partnership with Nissen Kaiun will support the expansion of our VentoFoil product line, including larger units for deep-sea shipping, and could also open the door for future production in Asia. Nissen Kaiun is the perfect partner with a large network in Japan and the Asian markets. Their involvement will allow us to expand our footprint and accelerate the development of larger units for the deepwater markets,” said new Econowind CEO Daan Koornneef.
Nissen Kaiun’s investment comes against the backdrop of increasing regulations and growing demand for immediately implementable solutions to reduce emissions.
