Japanese shipowner Nissen Kaiun has become a shareholder in Dutch wind-assisted propulsion system (WAPS) developer Econowind, a move said to highlight growing industry interest in fuel-neutral technologies.
The Imabari-based shipping company, which operates a diversified fleet through several subsidiaries, said it had chosen Econowind for its technology. Econowind has developed the VentoFoil, a wing-shaped wind-assist device that drives decarbonisation within the shipping markets. More than 130 units have been sold globally, with customers including shortsea and deep-sea operators across various market segments.
According to the shipowner, Econowind is recognised as a mature WAPS solution with proven technology. Making shipping more sustainable is regarded as a top priority at Nissen Kaiun, which is installing the large version of the VentoFoil unit on its vessels. The VentoFoil is considered suitable for maritime conditions while being easy for the crew to use, allowing reductions in fuel consumption and emissions.”
Daan Koornneef, Econowind CEO, said: “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 to future production in Asia. Nissen Kaiun is the perfect partner with a large network in Japan and wider Asian markets. With them becoming a shareholder, we can expand our footprint and accelerate the development of larger units for the deep-sea markets.”
The agreement comes as shipowners look for immediate steps to cut emissions ahead of tightening regulatory targets. WAPS is said to be gaining traction as a fuel-neutral solution that can be combined with any engine type or fuel strategy.
Image: Vessel ‘Amadeus Saffier’ with VentoFoils (source: Econowind)
