W4S

Wind for Shipping (W4S) 

Wind for Shipping is an Interreg North-West Europe project that brings together 12 partners from the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, and France. The project started in December 2024. It aims to support the transition to sustainable maritime transport by advancing the use of wind propulsion technologies. 

The participating regions include Pays de la Loire Bretagne (France), Weser-Ems (Germany), and Fryslân (Netherlands). Project partners include shipyards, shipping companies, research institutions, and regional authorities—each contributing their expertise to support innovation in the maritime sector. 

The total project budget is €5.7 million, of which €3.4 million is co-financed by the European Union through the Interreg North-West Europe programme. 

The project focuses on the development and upscaling of rotorsails and wingsails—large vertical sails or rotating structures that can be installed on ships to harness wind power. These technologies have the potential to reduce fuel consumption by 20% to 40%, significantly cutting emissions in line with European climate goals. 

To make wind propulsion commercially viable, production costs must be reduced and manufacturing processes optimized. Wind for Shipping therefore explores automation in production, new logistics chains for global installation, and the development of skilled professionals and supply chains. 

The project also aims to strengthen regional maritime innovation ecosystems by encouraging cooperation between coastal regions. 

In the coming years, the project will test several wind propulsion systems on seagoing vessels and support the wider adoption of these technologies in the maritime industry. 

Together, we are setting sail for a cleaner, smarter, and more resilient future in shipping.