IWSA invites maritime stakeholders to participate in small vessel wind propulsion survey

The International Windship Association (IWSA) on Friday (3 May) announced the launching of a new survey to gather insight from the industry to understand why wind energy use is increasing in small vessel segments and to ascertain what barriers may be holding back further expansion in the number of wind-powered vessels.

IWSA said the number of small vessels sailing using wind as their primary energy source or using wind-assist wind propulsion technology has been increasing steadily in recent years. Over the last few months there has been a further uptick in interest and vessel launchings.

“IWSA’s aim in surveying the industry and disseminating gathered insights from vessel operators’ and cargo owners’ shared experience is to assist harbours/ports in better understanding the sector,” it said in a statement.

“In addition, seafarers interested in engaging in the sector will also be better informed, as will the vessel operators that employ and train them.”

Respondent feedback from small vessel owners operating vessels that use wind energy plus insights from other relevant stakeholders will be published by IWSA in a Small Wind Propulsion Vessel publication.

Gavin Allwright, Secretary General of IWSA, said: “The results of this survey will help inform IWSA’s future work around wind propulsion deployment in the small commercial vessel sector both in developed and lesser developed regions of the world where maritime transport can be absolutely critical.”

“The aim of the resulting Small Wind Propulsion Vessel publication will be to help to facilitate discussions and debate around the issues facing the sector helping to bring together the network further and identify areas that require collective action at an industry, market and policy/regulatory level.”

Stakeholders in any small vessel segments of the industry are invited to participate in the survey. In the survey, a “small vessel” has a fairly broad definition, with vessels under 1000GT included, though this classification issue is one of the questions also under consideration.

The deadline for survey submissions is Friday, 10 May 2024. 

Note: The Small Wind Propulsion Vessel Survey can be found here.

Photo credit: International Windship Association
Published: 6 May, 2024