Japanese shipping company Nissen Kaiun has acquired a stake in Dutch company Econowind, which provides wind-assisted shipping propulsion technology.
Econowind has developed the VentoFoil, a wind-assist device designed to facilitate decarbonisation in the shipping sector.
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The patented technology employs suction-based airflow control to provide scalable and cost-effective energy savings, contributing to a practical approach to maritime decarbonisation.
Econowind’s systems aim to assist the shipping industry in minimising fuel consumption and emissions.
The company has sold more than 130 units worldwide, catering to a diverse range of customers, including both shortsea and deepsea operators across various market segments.
Financial details of the deal have not been confirmed.
Econowind CEO Daan Koornneef said: “The partnership with Nissen Kaiun will support the expansion of our VentoFoil product line, including larger units for deepsea shipping, and could also open the door to future production in Asia.
“Nissen Kaiun is the perfect partner with a large network in Japan and wider Asian markets. With them becoming a shareholder, we can expand our footprint and accelerate the development of larger units for the deep-sea markets.”
Nissen Kaiun, based in Imabari, operates a varied fleet through multiple subsidiaries. The Japanese firm selected Econowind for its technology aimed at enhancing sustainability in maritime operations.
As the shipping industry faces increasing pressure to lower emissions, wind-assisted ship Propulsion is said to emerge as a viable solution that can be integrated with different engine types and fuel strategies, according to Nissen Kaiun.
Nissen Kaiun spokesperson said: “As one of the market leaders, Econowind delivers proven technology. Making shipping more sustainable is a top priority at Nissen Kaiun. We are currently looking into installing the large version of their innovative VentoFoils on our vessels.
“It is well-suited to maritime conditions while being easy for the crew to use. This technology allows us to take steps in reducing fuel consumption and emissions.”
In February this year, Econowind announced the sale of more than 100 VentoFoil units for wind-assisted ship propulsion.
Since the initial installation of two units on MV Ankie in 2018, the technology has been implemented on various vessels, including bulk carriers, tankers, RoRo, and container ships.
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