AWESOME wind assisted shipping

Shipping looks to wind to cut emissions and fuel costs with EU backing

Wind assisted propulsion can cut fuel use and emissions, but shipowners still need reliable data before investing at scale. With EU support, a new European initiative will help close that gap through full scale demonstrations, verified data and decision support tools. 

Wind has the potential to become a much more important energy source for shipping, but the industry needs more documentation before the technology can be deployed at scale. Now, Kongsberg Maritime, Odfjell, SINTEF Ocean, SINTEF Digital, DNV, and Maritime CleanTech will help reduce uncertainty through a new European collaboration.

Wind assisted propulsion can significantly reduce both fuel consumption and emissions, but uncertainty related to performance, costs, and operational impact has slowed large-scale implementation. With support from the EU, the AWESOME project will help close this gap through verified data, full-scale demonstrations, and decision-support tools for shipowners.

The project was launched in Brussels on 25 June 2026 and brings together 15 European partners across the maritime value chain. Norwegian participants include Kongsberg Maritime, Odfjell, SINTEF Ocean, SINTEF Digital, DNV, and Maritime CleanTech, contributing expertise in technology development, ship operations, research, verification, and market mobilisation.

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Norwegian actors central to European initiative

Kongsberg Maritime coordinates the project, while Odfjell will provide a full-scale demonstrator to generate valuable insights from real operations. SINTEF Ocean and SINTEF Digital contribute research and analytical expertise, DNV brings verification and regulatory competence, and Maritime CleanTech is responsible for connecting results with industry, policymakers, and the market.

Together, the partners will deliver validated performance data, standardised methodologies, and practical tools to make it easier for shipowners to assess costs, impact, and regulatory compliance. The goal is to reduce investment risk and accelerate the uptake of cost-effective emission reductions.

“Wind-assisted propulsion is a key solution for reducing emissions in shipping. Through this strong European collaboration, we will take new steps towards developing technological solutions ready for market deployment,” says Håvard Tvedte, Acting Director of Maritime CleanTech.

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Full-scale demonstrations and industrial impact

Two full-scale demonstrators will provide data from real-life operations. One of Odfjell’s chemical tankers will demonstrate how wind-assisted propulsion can be integrated into existing vessels, while Neoliner Origin from NEOLine will demonstrate how the technology can be optimised from the design phase.

The project will also support better alignment with regulatory frameworks such as FuelEU Maritime and future IMO requirements. Through close collaboration between technology developers, shipowners, research institutions, and classification societies, AWESOME will strengthen the foundation for documentation, standardisation, and further deployment of wind-assisted solutions.

With strong Norwegian participation and a broad European consortium, AWESOME aims to make wind-assisted propulsion a more predictable, scalable, and commercially attractive climate solution for the shipping industry.

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