OceanWings Secures ClassNK AiP for Scaled Wingsails | Mariner News

OceanWings has secured Approval in Principle (AiP) from classification society ClassNK for its rigid fixed and rigid tiltable wingsails, a development poised to broaden the adoption of wind propulsion technology across the maritime sector.

The approval signifies that OceanWings’ technology can now be scaled to larger wing sizes, making it viable for a wider array of bigger vessel types and diverse operational requirements. This builds upon a 2025 certification that covered a 363 m2 wing with a 38 m span, and the company’s portfolio already includes a 407 m2 wing with a 42 m span.

This expanded AiP streamlines the process for shipowners and shipyards considering OceanWings’ solutions for both newbuild projects and retrofits. The classification society’s endorsement reduces perceived technical and financial risks, making integration into vessel designs more straightforward.

Emmanuel Schalit, CEO of OceanWings, emphasized the consistency of their approach, stating that “The design philosophy, control architecture and onboard integration principles remain the same across all wingsail sizes.” This uniformity is critical, suggesting that the underlying engineering and operational complexities are consistent regardless of the wingsail’s physical dimensions, thereby simplifying deployment across different vessel classes and reducing adaptation costs for adopters.