Wind propulsion is not a new idea—but it is gaining new momentum. “We are likely seeing the biggest transition in shipping since the diesel engine,” says Ville Paakkari in the latest HANSA.Newscast episode. As Head of R&D at Norsepower, he speaks from experience: the company has already installed rotor sails on multiple vessel types, with a current order backlog that will more than double installations again.
From 6% to 40% Wind Contribution
While early installations covered just a small share of propulsion demand, the scale is growing. “We started with 6% contribution on a Ro-Ro ship – now we have vessels in the pipeline reaching 40%,” Paakkari explains. “And I don’t see why it should stop there.” Depending on vessel type and configuration, Norsepower’s rotor sails have delivered fuel savings ranging from 8% on tankers to over 25% on Ro-Ro vessels. Crucially, performance depends not only on weather routing and technology, but also on installed capacity – a point often overlooked.
Collaboration as a Core Strategy
Another cornerstone of Norsepower’s approach is strategic collaboration – with customers, research partners, and technology providers. Paakkari highlights long-standing partnerships, such as with NAPA on weather routing. “Rotor sails and weather routing are each powerful—but together they multiply the benefits,” he notes. Customer partnerships also play a central role. Companies like Sea-Cargo, LDA, Oldendorff and GEFO are among the frontrunners co-developing solutions with Norsepower, making the technology more robust and market-ready.
A Cornerstone for Decarbonization?
Looking ahead, Paakkari sees a scenario where wind propulsion accounts for around 30% of total emissions cuts in shipping—especially as vessels reduce speeds and adapt to higher fuel costs. “If we combine scaling wind technology with the new operating context, wind propulsion may become the dominant propulsion method for global shipping,” he says.
Watch the full episode of HANSA.Newscast to learn more about the technology, regulatory outlook, and future direction of wind propulsion in shipping.