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Wallenius Wilhelmsen and partners secure EUR 9 million funding to build wind-powered RoRo vessel

All aspects of planning, building, and operating the world’s first wind-powered RoRo vessel “Orcelle Wind” will be done over the next five years, says Wallenius Wilhelmsen.
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Wallenius Wilhelmsen and project partners have secured a Horizon Europe funding totalling EUR 9 million (USD 9.7 million) to support building the world’s first wind-powered RoRo sailing vessel, according to Wallenius Wilhelmsen on Sunday (15 January).

Over the next five years, all aspects of planning, building, and operating wind-powered vessel Orcelle Wind will be done.

“The Horizon Europe EU funding shows the concept stood up to the scrutiny of the EU funding authorities and that they had the confidence to give it their support,” says Roger Strevens, VP Global Sustainability at Wallenius Wilhelmsen.

The grant is divided between eleven partners – all bringing something unique to the table. Together, they represent a 360-degree perspective on wind propulsion – including weather routing, vessel design, supply chain orchestration and crew training to test rig installation on an existing vessel. The project’s scope is to make the Orcelle Wind ready for commercial trading.

“The EU Funding project is based on a collaborative approach – we need strong partners to lead the way to zero emissions as soon as possible. We are proud to have a group of the best technical, operational, and academic partners, as well as one of our key customers, for the project. All have committed to working together to help make Orcelle Wind a reality,” says Strevens.

The EU project is a solid opportunity to combine the investments needed for full-scale demonstration and data capture with advanced models and tools for wing propulsion vessels. Beyond the demonstrator’s vessel, the partners will use the models and tools to develop advanced conceptual designs and operational plans for multiple vessel types to apply the wing solution.

Orcelle Wind is a wind-powered Pure Car Truck Carrier, a type of deepsea Roll On, Roll Off vessel. It will be 220 metres and have a capacity for over 7,000 cars, but will also be capable of carrying breakbulk and rolling equipment. Orcelle Wind is a crucial part of Wallenius Wilhelmsen’s fleet decarbonization strategy and the ambition is for it to commence sailing in late 2026 or early 2027.

Orcelle Wind is the first vessel from the Oceanbird concept for primarily wind-powered vessels. The concept shows that it is theoretically possible to reduce emissions from vessels by up to 90 percent if all emissions-influencing factors are aligned.

“The Oceanbird concept was developed through a partnership approach. We have seen the strength of gathering people from different sectors and companies to cover all perspectives. By working together, we will bring the Orcelle Wind project to life – and by that – take a huge step towards truly sustainable shipping,” says Niclas Dahl, Managing Director at Oceanbird.

An important part of the Horizon Europe funding project is installing the wing sail test rig on an existing Wallenius Wilhelmsen vessel during mid-2024. Oceanbird and Wallenius Wilhelmsen will present the test rig installation in a webcast on January 26.

 

Photo credit: Wallenius Wilhelmsen
Published: 17 January, 2023

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Environment

IMO Secretary-General: Net-Zero Framework sends clear demand signal to bunker fuel producers

New regulations will require investment for decarbonisation to take place, states Arsenio Dominguez.
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June 17, 2025

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Shipping gears up for massive investments in decarbonization 2 medium

The global shipping industry is preparing for a net-zero transformation that will have a sector-wide impact on everything from supply chains and business models, to ships, ports and the maritime workforce, said IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez.

IMO approved new regulations for net-zero marine fuels and emissions in April, set for adoption in October. Calls for investments in decarbonisation are getting louder.

“Regulations alone cannot do the job. We need technological development and we need alternative fuels… And that can only happen in one way – with investment,” he said, speaking at the Blue Economy Finance Forum in Monaco (8 June).

This includes investing in scaling up production of alternative bunker fuels in large enough quantities to replace the 350 million tonnes of fuel oil currently burned by ships each year.

Upgrading port infrastructure and bunker operations will also be required to safely provide clean energy for ships when they call at ports around the world.

“The liner industry has already invested USD 150 billion in decarbonisation. It is unprecedented for the transport sector,” said President of the World Shipping Council, Joe Kramek. “But we need the fuel supply… it’s a tremendous investment opportunity.”

The new set of regulations, known as the “IMO Net-Zero Framework”, takes a two- pronged approach: a global fuel standard that limits the greenhouse gas (GHG) fuel intensity of marine fuels, and a price placed on the GHG emissions from ships.

The regulations send a clear demand signal to fuel producers, while rewarding ‘first movers’ – shipping companies who take the risk to adopt low- and zero-emission solutions early, and who are then able to share their experiences and expertise with others.

The IMO Net-Zero Framework works alongside earlier measures adopted by IMO to enhance energy-efficient ship design, operational improvements and carbon intensity ratings. They will be reviewed every five years, with emission limits tightened over time.

Related: IMO MPEC 83 approves net-zero regulations for global shipping

 

Photo credit: International Maritime Organization
Published: 17 June 2025

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Newbuilding

NYK Group’s first methanol-fuelled bulk carrier “Green Future” delivered

Vessel is the first bulk carrier in the NYK Group to be equipped with a dual-fuel engine that uses methanol and fuel oil.
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June 17, 2025

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NYK Group on 13 May received delivery of Green Future, the company’s first methanol dual-fuel bulk carrier, at the TSUNEISHI Factory of TSUNEISHI SHIPBUILDING Co., Ltd. where a naming and delivery ceremony was also held, it said on Thursday (14 June).

The vessel will be chartered by NYK Bulk & Projects Carriers Ltd., an NYK Group company, from KAMBARA KISEN Co., Ltd.

It is the first bulk carrier in the NYK Group to be equipped with a dual-fuel engine that uses methanol and fuel oil.

“Methanol has a lower environmental impact than fuel oil, and by using bio-methanol and e-methanol produced using hydrogen derived from renewable energy sources and recovered carbon dioxide, the vessel achieves significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions,” it said.

Vessel Particulars
LOA: 199.99 m
Breadth: 32.25 m
Depth: 19.15 m
Deadweight: approx. 65,700 metric tons
Capacity: approx. 81,500 m3
Draft: 13.8 m

Related: Tsuneishi delivers world’s first methanol dual-fuel Ultramax bulker to NYK
Related: Japan: NYK to time-charter its first methanol-fuelled bulk carrier

 

Photo credit: NYK Group
Published: 17 June 2025

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Ammonia

Yara Clean Ammonia voices support for ammonia bunkering pilot

Pilot has generated crucial real-world data and best practices for future ammonia bunkering operations globally.

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June 17, 2025

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Yara ammonia STS operation

Yara Clean Ammonia (YCA), the world’s largest trader and distributor of ammonia, on Friday (13 June) announced its key role in a landmark maritime decarbonisation initiative led by the Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation (GCMD).

The successful completion of the first-ever ship-to-ship transfer (STS) of ammonia at anchorage in Western Australia marks a major milestone in paving the way for ammonia as a viable marine fuel, it said.

Under the supervision of the Pilbara Port Authority (PPA), the pilot took place within the anchorage area of Port Dampier, simulating real-world bunkering conditions and demonstrating that ammonia transfer can be executed safely and effectively offshore.

According to YCA, the trial builds on the insights from GCMD’s prior safety study in Singapore and confirms that, with the right controls in place, ammonia STS transfers at anchorage are both safe and scalable.

The pilot has also generated crucial real-world data and best practices for future ammonia bunkering operations globally.

“This successful trial is a pivotal step towards building trust in ammonia as a zero-to-near-zero emission (ZNZ) maritime fuel,” said Murali Srinivasan SVP Commercial in Yara Clean Ammonia.

“It’s the result of world-class collaboration and careful planning—and it shows that with the right safeguards, ammonia bunkering is not only feasible but practical.”

 

Photo credit: Yara Clean Ammonia
Published: 17 June 2025

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