Njord Explores The Intersection of Fuel EU Maritime & Wind Assisted Propulsion Systems
Hosted by Frederik Pind, Managing Director at Njord, a green technology entity collaboratively founded by Cargill, Mitsui, and Maersk Tankers.
This January 2025 live event navigates the intersection of FuelEU Maritime regulations and Wind-Assisted Propulsion Systems (WAPS).
Discussions highlight compliance through efficiency, bringing together key industry voices to explore financial benefits, regulatory drivers, and practical strategies.
Kate Foster
Senior Freight Trader, Maersk Tankers
Kate brings over 20 years of maritime experience, combining expertise in EU ETS compliance and business case modelling for green regulations. She also collaborates with the Maersk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping.
Gavin Allwright
Secretary General, International Windship Association (IWSA)
Leading a 200-member organisation, Gavin offers insights on regulatory trends, wind propulsion technologies, and their adoption within the maritime sector.
Jonas Rasmussen
Client Director, Njord
Jonas specialises in maritime energy efficiency with over a decade of experience advising on technologies like WAPS, delivering insights into business case development.
Gain actionable insights by watching the session recording below, which provides:
-Practical strategies for FuelEU Maritime compliance.
-A comparative analysis of wind propulsion technologies.
-Examples of fleet-wide adoption and ROI case studies.
Five Takeaways
1. FuelEU Maritime as a Catalyst
FuelEU Maritime’s regulatory framework has become a launchpad for integrating wind propulsion technologies into commercial operations, helping shipowners reduce penalties while gaining financial and environmental rewards. Gavin Allwright explained, "FuelEU Maritime is designed to encourage not just compliance but innovation. By rewarding auxiliary technologies like wind propulsion with direct carbon intensity reductions, it offers shipowners both environmental and financial benefits. We've seen this shift push WAPS from a niche to a mainstream investment for many fleets."
2. Business Case Development
Return on Investment for WAPS can fall below five years, particularly for EU-trading vessels. Jonas Rasmussen shared, "We’ve seen specific examples where adjusting trading patterns in alignment with FuelEU incentives reduced ROI to under five years, making these investments more attractive to shipowners."
3. Technology Selection
Rotor sails, suction wings, and rigid sails dominate the market, with decisions tailored to vessel trading patterns and operational needs. Kate Foster emphasised, "It’s critical to match the technology to operational profiles, as seen in Maersk Tankers’ decision to choose suction sails due to air draft restrictions in their trading routes."
4. Crew and Operational Alignment
The transition to WAPS requires operational shifts and crew engagement. Gavin Allwright explained, "Crew buy-in is essential. While many systems are automated, operational adjustments such as navigation or mooring practices are inevitable and must be anticipated."
5. Global Implications
While currently regional, FuelEU Maritime may inspire similar frameworks globally. Kate Foster remarked, "The introduction of IMO midterm measures could amplify the business case for WAPS further, with global standards driving broader adoption and deeper reductions in greenhouse gas emissions."
Key Insights
The LinkedIn Live Event showcases the depth of expertise and collaboration required to navigate the complexities of FuelEU Maritime and WAPS adoption.
As Frederik summarises, "We hope today’s session provides a clear picture of how wind-assisted propulsion systems are incentivised under FuelEU Maritime and the steps required to integrate these technologies effectively. From exploring business cases to highlighting global trends, the discussion underscores the importance of both innovation and cooperation in meeting decarbonisation targets."
The session reinforces that while challenges remain, regulatory frameworks like FuelEU Maritime are already driving measurable change. By leveraging tailored technologies, fostering partnerships, and focusing on crew training, the maritime industry charts a sustainable path forward.
Top Audience Questions &
Key Takeaways
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