Tankers and Bulkers Lead Wind Propulsion Uptake: IWSA

by Ship & Bunker News Team
Monday June 1, 2026

Tankers and bulk carriers are currently leading the adoption of wind propulsion technology in the commercial shipping sector, according to the International Windship Association (IWSA).

37 tankers and 24 bulk carriers are currently equipped with wind propulsion systems, making them the two largest vessel segments using the technology, ISWA said in an email statement on Monday.

They are followed by 24 RoRo and RoPax vessels combined and 19 general cargo ships.

The figures come as the global fleet of large commercial vessels using wind propulsion surpassed the 100-ship mark, representing more than 5 million DWT of cargo carrying capacity.

The vessels are fitted with more than 230 wind propulsion systems and are collectively saving more than 100,000 mt/year of CO2 emissions.

IWSA said deployment is accelerating, with the number of wind-powered ships roughly doubling year on year.

The association expects the total to reach around 200 vessels within the next 12 months and said the industry is now focused on scaling installations towards 1,000 ships and beyond.

Wind propulsion systems, such as rigid sails, harness wind energy for propulsion, helping reduce bunker fuel consumption and emissions.

Growing confidence in the technology's ability to deliver fuel savings has helped drive adoption in recent years.

Several operators have reported fuel savings because of wind-assist systems, with commodities trader Louis Dreyfus Company previously saying suction sails installed on one of its vessels reduced bunker fuel consumption by about 10%.

Ship & Bunker News Team
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