Wallenius Marine has ordered two Oceanbird wing sails for installation on the car carrier Way Forward in 2027, marking the company’s first commercial deployment of wind-assisted propulsion technology.
The project represents an important step in Wallenius Marine’s efforts to reduce fuel consumption and emissions across its fleet while gathering operational data from wind propulsion in everyday commercial service.
The car carrier Way Forward already holds the highest A rating under the Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII), reflecting its strong environmental performance.
The addition of the two Oceanbird wing sails is expected to further improve the vessel’s energy efficiency by reducing the amount of engine power required during suitable wind conditions.
At the same time, the installation will provide Wallenius Marine with valuable real-world data on how wind propulsion performs during commercial voyages, including its impact on fuel consumption, vessel handling and daily operations.
Way Forward already combines an optimised hull design with a dual-fuel propulsion system capable of operating on both liquid and gaseous fuels, including biofuels.
The wing sails will add another energy-saving technology to the vessel and create a platform for testing how wind propulsion can be integrated with existing propulsion systems.
Experience gained from the project is expected to support the development of future generations of more energy-efficient vessels.
Wallenius Marine plans to use the operational results to better understand how wing sails should be positioned, controlled and integrated into ship design and voyage planning.
Wind-assisted propulsion is attracting increasing attention across the shipping industry as companies look for practical ways to reduce fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
Rather than replacing conventional engines completely, wing sails are designed to use available wind energy to reduce the propulsion power required from the vessel’s main machinery.
This can lower fuel consumption while also helping shipowners improve environmental performance and comply with increasingly strict emissions requirements.
Peter Herndlein, Head of Overseas Vehicle Logistics at Volkswagen Konzernlogistik, said the testing of wing sails could contribute to the development of more sustainable vehicle logistics.
He also highlighted Way Forward’s dual-fuel propulsion system as an example of cooperation between shipping companies and customers in improving energy efficiency.
Oceanbird CEO Amrit Kaur Bhullar said interest in wind propulsion continues to grow among both shipowners and charterers.
The installation on Way Forward in 2027 will give Wallenius Marine its first opportunity to evaluate Oceanbird wing sails in full commercial operation.
The results could play an important role in determining how wind-assisted propulsion is incorporated into future car carriers and other vessel designs as the maritime industry continues its transition toward lower-emission shipping.
