Why wind propulsion is an important piece in shipping’s compliance puzzle

Suba Sivandran, director of strategy, M&A and advanced services at Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore, gives readers an idea of the savings that are possible by installing wind tech on ships trading in Europe. 

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has finalised new measures that should provide a framework to decarbonise shipping. This is a pivotal moment as the sector needs to transition from fossil fuels to cleaner alternative fuels and innovative technologies, such as wind propulsion systems (WPS). Against this backdrop, recent regional regulations – like the EU’s Emission Trading System (ETS) and FuelEU Maritime (FEUM) – have already started to influence the investment and operational strategies of shipowners and operators. These regulations are encouraging owners and operators to adapt their operations to enhance efficiency whilst engaging with developing clean technologies, paving the way for a more sustainable future in maritime transport.

With the development of alternative fuels in its nascent stages, wind propulsion has emerged as a competitive long-term solution for reducing the operating costs of vessels, particularly for those trading within the EU. As part of the newly introduced FuelEU Maritime regulation, vessels using wind propulsion technologies benefit from the framework’s wind rewards factor (WRF), a mechanism designed to incentivize the adoption of wind propulsion technologies. WRF offers up to a 5% reduction on the GHG calculation of energy used onboard for those vessels where wind propulsion accounts for 15% or more of the propulsive power used onboard.

Furthermore, WPS also contributes to improving a ship’s Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI), Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI), and Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) ratings. This aligns perfectly with the industry’s imperative to decarbonize.

The adoption of WPS technology is clearly developing at pace. As of February 2025, more than 125 of these systems have been installed on over 57 ships, in addition to 17 already prepared for potential installation. In fact, a recent study suggested that over 1,600 ships will be ordered by 2030, and by 2050, it is estimated that 30% of the entire global fleet will have engaged with wind propulsion technology. Many of these will be classed by Bureau Veritas.

As an accredited verifier of alternative fuels as well as pooling compliance under FEUM, Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore (BV) has recently developed a suite of tools to model the impact of EU and IMO regulations on shipping. This modelling demonstrates that vessels trading at least partially in the EU can achieve substantial savings by engaging with WPS technology. For example, an ultramax vessel trading internationally with the EU could see nearly a 20% reduction in operating costs from 2025-2040 if it uses wind assistance, compared to a reference vessel running on Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (VLSFOe). The operating cost benefits remain evident even when accounting for the initial CAPEX implications of installing WPS technology. Wind-assisted vessels, combined with a small biofuel mix, could see further reductions in operational costs in the period from 2035-2040.

Wind assistance proves to be equally or even more competitive in the long term compared to biofuels. BV’s analysis indicates that by 2030, the operating costs for an ultramax vessel using 3% biofuel and one utilising wind assistance would be nearly identical, even after factoring in the additional capex of wind assistance (amortised over 15 years). Both strategies could reduce operating costs by approximately 12% compared to a reference vessel running on VLSFOe. 

Looking toward 2040, a vessel using 10% biofuel would cut its operating costs by 54%. Conversely, a vessel with wind assistance and 3% biofuel to comply with FEUM regulations could reduce its operating costs by over 60%. These figures illustrate wind propulsion as a key component in the future of sustainable maritime transport.

By engaging with WPS technologies, vessels can effectively reduce their fuel consumption and emissions, assisting them in meeting stricter emission standards while contributing to the EU’s goal of carbon neutrality by 2050. BV’s recent modelling study underscores the critical role of WPS technology in navigating the evolving regulatory landscape. Wind propulsion represents a competitive long-term solution for minimising vessel operating costs whilst supporting regulatory compliance.