What Windship Technology does

Windship Technology Ltd is a privately-held UK engineering company developing wind-assisted propulsion and True Zero Emission solutions for the commercial shipping industry. Its core product is the Windship Auxiliary Sail Propulsion System (WASPS), a patented triple-wing foil rig standing 35-48 metres tall, installed on bulk carriers and tankers over 30,000 DWT to deliver verified fuel savings of at least 30% annually (and 49% on Aframax tankers per DNV's independent assessment). The rig is integrated into a broader whole-ship solution that pairs the wind propulsion system with Calix's RECAST onboard carbon capture technology (under an exclusive joint development agreement), diesel-electric drive optimization, solar arrays, optimized hull forms, and proprietary weather routing software, enabling claimed 100% CO2 capture alongside material fuel and emissions reductions.

The company monetizes through hardware sales and installation of rigs on new-build or retrofit vessels, technology licensing (with patents granted or pending in 30+ jurisdictions), and integrated whole-ship design packages for shipyards. Commercial activity is enterprise field sales targeted at ship owners, operators, and charterers in the bulk carrier and tanker segments, supported by DNV class validation and UK government demonstration funding (notably £4m from the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition Round 3 in February 2023). Headcount is 1-10 and the company is pre-revenue, with its first commercial-scale demonstration (a 36m tri-foiled rig on a 15,000 DWT bulker combined with carbon capture) currently underway. The technology has received the DNV Approval in Principle, Motorship Award (2021), and features in TradeWinds and Sunday Times/Raconteur coverage, positioning the company within the IMO 2050 net-zero regulatory backdrop.

Name

Windship Technology

Legal name

Windship Technology Ltd

Website

https://windshiptechnology.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Windship Technology is a UK-based engineering company developing patented triple-wing foil rig wind propulsion systems, paired with carbon capture and weather routing, to enable True Zero Emission commercial shipping for bulk carriers and tankers over 30,000 DWT.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Marine Wind Propulsion Systems

NAICS

Mechanical Power Transmission Equipment Manufacturing (333613)

SIC

Engines & Turbines (3510)

akta.pro primary industry

Propellers & Waterjets (IMAJAHAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Advanced Wind Technology R&D (Floating Offshore, Airborne Wind, New Rotor/Blade Concepts) (EUAMAOAB)

Keywords

• Wind propulsion systems
• Zero-emission shipping
• Marine technology
• Wind-assisted propulsion
• Carbon capture shipping

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Wind Propulsion System Installation: Sale and installation of Windship's triple-wing rig technology on commercial vessels (bulk carriers, tankers, ferries). The system can be retrofitted on existing vessels over 30,000 DWT or incorporated into new builds. Revenue generated through equipment sales, installation, and ongoing maintenance contracts.
2. Technology Licensing: Licensing of proprietary wind propulsion technology and carbon capture integration to ship builders and operators. The company holds patents in over 30 countries covering the technology.
3. Whole-Ship Design Solutions: Comprehensive true zero emission design packages that include wind propulsion, solar power, carbon capture, and drive train optimization for new-build vessels.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Windship Technology develops and sells the Windship Auxiliary Sail Propulsion System (WASPS), a patented triple-wing foil rig system (36-48 metres) for auxiliary wind propulsion on commercial vessels over 30,000 DWT. The company also offers a whole-ship True Zero Emission Solution that combines the wind propulsion rigs with Calix's RECAST carbon capture technology, solar arrays, diesel electric drive, optimised hull shapes, and weather routing software. Revenue is generated through rig hardware sales, retrofit installation, technology licensing, and whole-ship design packages.

Product overview

Windship Technology offers a holistic True Zero Emission solution for commercial shipping comprising the Windship Auxiliary Sail Propulsion System (WASPS) as the core product—a patented triple-wing rig technology (35-48m height) that harnesses wind power. This is combined with RECAST carbon capture technology from Calix Limited partnership, weather routing software, and diesel electric drive optimization. The system is designed for bulk carriers and tankers over 30,000 DWT, achieving verified fuel savings of 30% annually from rigs alone, and up to 80% combined with slow steaming and other optimizations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Windship Auxiliary Sail Propulsion System (WASPS) An auxiliary wind propulsion system using three-wing foil rigs (36 to 48 metres tall) for commercial ships, providing significant thrust to propel vessels through water. Targets bulk carriers and tankers over 30,000 DWT, achieving minimum 30% annual fuel savings and paving the way to up to 80% combined with slow steaming and other optimisations.
• Triple-Wing Rig Technology Patented vertical aerofoil technology featuring three wings per rig with trailing edge flaps for optimisation of motive force across various wind angles. Constructed from composite materials for reliability and longevity exceeding 25 years. Validated by DNV Approval in Principle and supported by patents in over 30 countries.
• Whole-Ship True Zero Emission Design Solution Comprehensive true zero emission design package incorporating wind propulsion rigs, solar arrays, diesel-electric drive with carbon capture (RECAST from Calix), optimised hull shapes, and weather routing software. Delivered as a new-build design package for ship owners and operators seeking full-vessel decarbonisation.
• Weather Routing Software Specialized routing software for optimal utilisation of wind propulsion technology, enabling ships to maximise fuel savings by taking advantage of favourable wind conditions on transoceanic routes. Ships as part of the whole-ship True Zero Emission design package.

Quantifiable outcome

• 30% minimum annual fuel and emissions savings from wind propulsion alone
• +5 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Leilac (Calix Limited)coreTechnology or Integration · 16 February 2023Exclusive joint development relationship with Calix Limited to incorporate their onboard carbon capture system RECAST into Windship's whole-ship solution. The combined technologies achieve true zero emission shipping by capturing 100% of CO2 generated while providing 49% fuel savings. This partnership eliminates CO2, NOx, SOx, and particulate emissions from power systems.
• UK Chamber of ShippingminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 September 2021Featured in 'Making Waves: The Future of Shipping' programme produced in partnership with UK Chamber of Shipping and British Ports Association. Premier screening at London International Shipping Week.
• Wolfson Unit (University of Southampton)coreTechnology or Integration · 1 March 2021World-leading wind tunnel testing facility conducted detailed study confirming Windship's innovative triple wing rig achieves minimum 30% annual fuel savings. Testing at the Mitchell-Wolfson Unit validated CFD predictions and aerodynamic performance.
• DNVcoreTechnology or Integration · 8 February 2021Investment partnership with DNV classification society for verification and assessment of Windship's whole-ship True Zero Emission design. DNV conducted computer-based analysis confirming the technology's emissions abatement potential and issued Approval in Principle (AiP) for the triple-wing rig. DNV assessed 20 Aframax vessels on US-Europe routes confirming 49% fuel savings with zero CO2 emissions.
• Cape Horn EngineeringcoreTechnology or Integration · 8 February 2021CFD specialist conducted almost 1,000 high-fidelity simulations to optimize wing assembly geometry. Achieved double-digit percentage improvement in aerodynamic performance through analysis of wing assembly shape configurations in varying wind conditions.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• ABB Marine: Global supplier of marine propulsion, electrical and digital systems to commercial shipping. Broad incumbent adjacent to Windship's diesel-electric drive and whole-ship optimisation layer, competing for the same fleet-modernisation budgets.
• Wärtsilä: Major Finnish marine engine and propulsion systems manufacturer offering alternative-fuel and decarbonisation portfolios to commercial shipping. Broad incumbent competing for the same zero-emission capex budgets as Windship, though without a wind-assist specialism.

Direct peers

• Norsepower: Finnish developer of rotor sails (Norsepower Oy) installed on commercial vessels including tankers and bulk carriers. Directly comparable to Windship as a wind-assist propulsion provider targeting the same shipowner buyer base.
• SkySails: German provider of automated towing kite sails for cargo ships and tankers. Direct competitor offering an alternative wind-assist architecture to Windship's rigid wings, serving similar commercial fleet customers pursuing fuel and emissions savings.
• BAR Technologies: UK-based developer of WindWings, a rigid wing-sail system retrofitted onto bulk carriers and cargo ships. Conceptually the closest peer to Windship's triple-wing foil rig, sharing the wing-sail architecture and target customer segments.
• Anemoi Marine Technologies: UK-headquartered supplier of mechanical rotor sails for commercial shipping, including bulk carriers and tankers. Directly comparable to Windship in addressing IMO-driven wind-assist demand with retrofittable propulsion hardware.
• Econowind: Dutch supplier of containerised VentoFoil wind-assist units for commercial vessels. Directly comparable as a wind-propulsion retrofit provider targeting cargo ships and tankers in the same regulatory and fuel-savings narrative as Windship.

Emerging players

• AYRO: French developer of Oceanwings, a rigid wing-sail system designed for commercial cargo vessels. Closely comparable emerging player to Windship in wing-sail wind propulsion for shipping decarbonisation.
• Eco Marine Power: Japan-anchored supplier of the EnergySail, a rigid sail plus solar-power hybrid system for ships. Comparable emerging player combining wind and solar for vessel auxiliary power, similar in scope to Windship's wind + solar + carbon-capture whole-ship solution.
• Oceanbird: Swedish venture backed by Wallenius Wilhelmsen developing wind-powered ro-ro car carriers using rotor-sail technology. Adjacent emerging player addressing the same zero-emission shipping thesis with a niche segment focus on vehicle carriers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/WindShipTech
• Facebookfacebook.com/WindShipTechnology
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/windshiptechnologyltd

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Windship Technology