Wind Propulsion Fleet Passes 100 Vessels Ahead of SMM Hamburg
More than 6 million DWT of cargo capacity now sails with wind-assist systems installed
The International Windship Association will stage its largest wind propulsion showcase to date at the SMM maritime fair in Hamburg from 1 to 4 September, with forty association members exhibiting technology or hosting activities during the event.
More than 100 commercial vessels are now operating with wind propulsion systems, representing more than 6 million DWT of cargo capacity. The association said repeat orders and fleet-wide programmes are replacing one-off demonstration projects as the technology moves into wider commercial use.
"The pace of commercial adoption continues to accelerate," said IWSA secretary general Gavin Allwright.
A dedicated Wind Propulsion Route will connect equipment displays, vessel concepts and technical presentations across the exhibition. The line-up includes the SeaKite system, the WISAMO inflatable wing sail, DynaRig technology, the Wing560 rigid sail and a wind-assisted Kamsarmax concept.
An industry panel scheduled for 1 September in Hall A4 will examine repeat orders and fleet deployment. A separate Windship Day will take place aboard the museum ship Peking in Hamburg on 31 August.
The technologies on show reflect a spread of engineering approaches. SeaKite is a vessel-traction system under development by French company Beyond the Sea, while WISAMO is a maritime wing-sail project run by French industrial group Michelin. North Windships is a United Kingdom wind-propulsion developer, and Oceanbird is a Swedish joint venture between Wallenius and Alfa Laval. Stirling Design International is a French naval architecture and marine engineering firm.
SMM 2026 is expected to draw about 45,000 visitors and more than 2,200 exhibitors across 12 halls. IWSA is an international non-profit association representing the wind-propulsion shipping sector, with members drawn from technology developers, shipowners, naval architects and research bodies.
