Wind propulsion experts to explore the future landscape for wind technology

Next week, wind propulsion experts will gather in London at the headquarters of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) for the Royal Institution of Naval Architects (RINA) 3^rd annual conference on Wind Propulsion, which is organised in association with the International Windship Association (IWSA) and sponsored by Yara Marine Technologies.

“This gathering of wind propulsion experts will be a significant milestone in the journey to develop a wind-powered fleet fit for the 2030’s and beyond. It will also provide an opportunity for the industry to address any ‘misconceptions’ around wind powered ships,” states Gavin Allwright, IWSA Secretary General.

The current use of alternative fuels and renewable energy sources within the shipping industry is still relatively scarce. Growing environmental legislation and concerns are driving the need to develop and apply innovative alternative power and propulsion technology for ships.

Now, industry players are increasingly putting a modern spin on one of the oldest concepts in shipping: harnessing the power of wind for ship propulsion. Based on public announcements and shipyard orders made to-date, IWSA estimates that by the end of this year up to fifty large ships will be making use of wind as a renewable energy source with a combined tonnage of over three million DWT.

Dmitriy Ponkratov, RINA Technical Director says, “Since the inaugural conference in 2019, this bi-annual event has attracted a high level of interest in the maritime community. The 2023 conference agenda promises to bring those attending fully up to speed with recent technological, design and policy developments, and cast the minds of attendees into the future landscape for wind propulsion technology.”

This year, Arsenio Dominguez, Director, Marine Environment Division at the International Maritime Organization and Gavin Allwright, Secretary General of the International Windship Association will deliver keynote speeches at the conference.

Expert speakers also include representatives from Anemoi Marine Technologies, MOL Lloyd's Register, Norsepower, Wärtsilä, Research Institutes Sweden (RISE), Bureau Veritas Solutions M&O, MARIN, Chantiers de l'Atlantique, Knud E. Hansen, SINTEF Ocean, Cape Horn Engineering and bound4blue, among many others.

The Wind Propulsion Conference 2023 will be held on February 16-17,2023.