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The shipping industry is moving toward wind-assisted propulsion, a shift driven by the need for lower carbon emissions and efficiency. On Wednesday, the Dutch company Econowind announced that its VentoFoil 3-series suction wings have received a Type Approval Design Certificate (TADC) from the classification society DNV. This certification is specifically for the 16-meter model, which confirms that the design meets DNV’s ST-0511 standard for Wind-Assisted Propulsion Systems.
The Type Approval Design Certificate allows the VentoFoil 3-Series to be integrated on DNV-classed vessels without repeating the full design assessment process. This should significantly speed up project progression from conception to installation for shipowners who want to add wind propulsion to their fleets. The 3-Series is Econowind’s best-selling suction wing, with more than 150 units sold, and the company expects the new TADC to accelerate its adoption.
HS Schiffahrt’s MS Heinz is among the first vessels to sail under the TADC. Chiel de Leeuw, chief commercial officer at Econowind, stated that the certificate gives DNV-classed shipowners confidence that VentoFoils meet the highest industry standards. He noted that the approval process is simpler for both retrofits and newbuilds, making the system ideal for late-stage design integration.
DNV is one of the world’s leading classification societies. This TADC gives DNV-classed shipowners confidence that VentoFoils meet the highest industry standards,” de Leeuw said. “It simplifies the approval process for both retrofits and newbuilds. VentoFoils are ideal for late-stage design integration and retrofit projects. This is an important milestone for Econowind and for the wider adoption of wind-assisted ship propulsion.”
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Hasso Hoffmeister, senior principal engineer at DNV Maritime, commented on the broader market for wind propulsion systems. He noted that Wind-Assisted Propulsion Systems (WAPS) have been going from strength to strength over the past few years. According to Hoffmeister, the number of vessels in operation has increased five times since 2022, topping the century mark.
The classification society expects this trend to accelerate due to advances in technology, materials, and production capacity. Hoffmeister observed that while the wind itself is variable, the shipping industry is likely to be sailing strong for years to come.
It is worth noting that the recent focus on carbon reduction has pushed many operators to look at these mechanical solutions. While battery technology and alternative fuels get much of the headlines, mechanical systems like suction wings offer a proven way to cut fuel consumption without completely redesigning a ship’s propulsion architecture. The ability to retrofit these units on existing hulls provides a practical middle ground between total system redesigns and the slow rollout of new green vessels.
