PUBLISHER: BIS Research | PRODUCT CODE: 1732571
PUBLISHER: BIS Research | PRODUCT CODE: 1732571
Europe Wind-Assisted Propulsion Market: Focus on Application, Technology, Installation Type, Vessel Type and Country-Level Analysis - Analysis and Forecast, 2024-2034
Introduction to Europe Wind-Assisted Propulsion Market
The Europe wind-assisted propulsion market was valued at $96.98 million in 2024, and it is expected to grow at a CAGR of 71.69%, reaching $21,586.85 million by 2034. In Europe, wind-assisted propulsion (WAP) is formally integrated into the IMO's Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI) and Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII), indicating that it is a genuine ""energy harvesting"" technology. Vessels can lower engine load and CO2 emissions by using Flettner rotors, wing sails, or kite systems to transform prevailing winds into direct propulsive drive. However, regional weather variability still has a significant impact on fuel-saving performance: long-term calms or crosswinds can negate the benefits of powerful northerly gales. In order to counteract this, operators are depending more and more on advanced weather-routing systems that incorporate fuel-cost optimisation procedures, vessel-specific performance curves, and real-time weather forecasts. These systems dynamically plot course adjustments that optimise wind leverage without sacrificing schedule.
Despite these operational advancements, commercial adoption is still hampered by a number of interconnected challenges. Rotor-sail installations and rigid wing-sail systems often need capital expenditures in the multi-million dollar range, with payback periods expected to be several years. These timelines conflict with the volatility of the charter market and short contract terms. The lack of uniform engineering and certification standards is another obstacle; each integrator has its own standards for structural strength, control system protocols, and maintenance practices, which hinders bulk production and drives up unit costs. Additionally, class-society assessments and structural reinforcements are often triggered by retrofits, which adds weeks to dry-dock timetables.
| KEY MARKET STATISTICS | |
|---|---|
| Forecast Period | 2024 - 2034 |
| 2024 Evaluation | $96.98 Million |
| 2034 Forecast | $21,586.85 Million |
| CAGR | 71.69% |
Future projections indicate that unit costs will significantly decrease as WAP hardware develops, production lines expand, and classification societies agree on standard design frameworks. WAP will increasingly function as a complementary ""zero-cost"" thrust source as European shipping decarbonises through the use of green methanol, advanced biofuels, and hydrogen fuel-cell trials. This will increase the range and financial feasibility of alternative-fuel vessels on the North Sea, Baltic, and Mediterranean trade lanes.
Market Introduction
The market for wind-assisted propulsion in Europe includes a variety of technologies intended to use wind energy as an additional source of thrust for commercial ships. In order to save fuel, cut emissions, and increase operational resilience, shipowners and integrators have investigated rotor sails, rigid wing sails, inflatable kites, and other aerodynamic devices within the last ten years. With solutions designed for both new construction and retrofit installations on bulk carriers, tankers, container ships, and ro-ro boats, this expanding market segment connects marine engineering, renewable energy, and digital navigation.
The decarbonisation goals of charterers, classification societies, and governments are becoming more aligned, which has encouraged experimental initiatives along important European trade routes like the North Sea, Baltic Sea, and Mediterranean. Technology companies are also testing hybrid strategies that combine wind turbines with battery storage, shore-power connection, and sophisticated data analytics. While financiers and insurers evaluate risk profiles for large-scale deployments, shipowners, technology providers, and research institutes are collaborating to improve performance modelling and lifecycle assessments.
In the future, the industry will be propelled by corporate sustainability goals, the desire for carbon-neutral corridors, and the wider shift to alternate fuels. Wind-assist devices are set to become a commonplace feature of Europe's greener shipping environment as design standards advance and digital tools simplify installation planning. They will support fuel-switch tactics and open up new avenues for low-carbon maritime transportation.
Market Segmentation:
Segmentation 1: by Application
- Cargo Ships
- Passenger Ships
- Fishing Vessels
- Bulk Carriers
Segmentation 2: by Technology
- Towing Kites
- Sails
- Flettner Rotor
- Suction Wing
- Others
Segmentation 3: by Installation Type
- Retrofit
- New Installation
Segmentation 4: by Vessel Type
- Wind-Assisted Motor Vessels
- Purely Wind Vessel
Segmentation 5: by Region
- Europe: France, U.K., Germany, France, Greece, Norway, Finland, and Rest-of-Europe
Europe Wind-Assisted Propulsion Market Trends, Drivers and Challenges
Trends
- Rapid expansion of wind-assisted propulsion solutions across Europe
- Increasing use of hybrid systems such as rotor sails, wing sails and kites
- Both retrofits on existing vessels and "wind-ready" new builds on the rise
Drivers
- Tightening international and EU emission regulations pushing for lower fuel use
- Rising fossil-fuel costs making wind-assist economically attractive
- Government grants and port incentives supporting adoption
- Investor and customer demand for greener shipping practices
Challenges
- High upfront investment and long payback periods for shipowners
- Lack of uniform standards for measuring performance and savings
- Dependence on weather conditions leading to variable fuel-saving results
- Complexity of integrating new systems into existing ship designs
- Supply-chain constraints for specialized components
How can this report add value to an organization?
The Europe wind-assisted propulsion market offers a comprehensive understanding of the various technologies available based on vessel types (bulk carriers, container ships, passenger vessels, etc.), wind propulsion techniques (sails, rotors, kites, and wing sails), materials (composite materials, fabric sails, and aerodynamics), and methods (retrofit installations, new builds, and hybrid systems). The Europe wind-assisted propulsion market is set for substantial growth with advancements in wind technology, increasing investments, and growing awareness of sustainable shipping. As a result, the wind-assisted propulsion sector is a high-investment and high-revenue market with vast opportunities for expansion.
Growth/Marketing Strategy: The Europe wind-assisted propulsion market has been experiencing rapid growth. It presents significant opportunities for both established and emerging players in the industry. Companies are focusing on strategies such as partnerships, collaborations, technological innovations, and expanding infrastructure to gain a competitive edge. Product development, particularly in terms of advanced wind propulsion systems for different vessel types, is a critical strategy for maintaining market leadership and driving sustainable shipping practices.
Competitive Strategy: Key players in the Europe wind-assisted propulsion market offers various wind-assisted technologies for vessels. Companies are actively pursuing strategic partnerships and collaborations to leverage synergies, improve product offerings, and tap into untapped revenue potential. With increasing regulatory pressure to adopt eco-friendly solutions, the Europe wind-assisted propulsion market is set to witness accelerated growth, benefiting from innovations that drive sustainability in maritime operations.
Key Market Players and Competition Synopsis
The companies that are profiled in the Europe wind-assisted propulsion market have been selected based on inputs gathered from primary experts who have analyzed company coverage, product portfolio, and market penetration.
Some of the prominent names in the market are:
- Norsepower
- bound4blue
- Econowind
- Anemoi Marine Technologies Ltd.
- Airseas
- GT Green Technologies
- Becker Marine Systems
- Propelwind S.A.S.
- SkySails Marine
- DNV
- OCEANBIRD
Table of Contents
Executive Summary
Scope and Definition
1 Markets
- 1.1 Wind-Assisted Propulsion Market: Current and Future
- 1.1.1 Technological Innovations in Shipping Industry
- 1.1.2 Increasing Investment in Wind-Assisted Propulsion
- 1.2 Supply Chain Overview
- 1.2.1 Value Chain Analysis
- 1.2.2 Pricing Analysis
- 1.3 Research and Development Review
- 1.3.1 Patent Filing Trend (by Patent Office and Company)
- 1.4 Ecosystem of Wind-Assisted Propulsion Market
- 1.4.1 Consortiums and Associations
- 1.4.2 Regulatory/Certification Bodies
- 1.4.3 Government Programs
- 1.4.4 Programs (by Research Institutions and Universities)
- 1.5 Economic Impact of Wind-Assisted Propulsion
- 1.6 Market Dynamics: Overview
- 1.6.1 Market Drivers
- 1.6.1.1 Fluctuations in Raw Material Prices
- 1.6.1.2 Growing Adoption of Retrofitting Solutions
- 1.6.2 Market Restraints
- 1.6.2.1 Regulatory Barriers to Large-Scale Dual-Fuel Retrofitting
- 1.6.2.2 Space and Structural Limitations on Ships
- 1.6.3 Market Opportunities
- 1.6.3.1 Investments and Government Support for Green Shipping
- 1.6.3.2 Expansion of Green Shipping Corridors
- 1.6.1 Market Drivers
- 1.7 Start-Up Landscape
2 Regions
- 2.1 Wind-Assisted Propulsion Market (by Region)
- 2.2 Europe
- 2.2.1 Market
- 2.2.1.1 Key Market Participants in Europe
- 2.2.1.2 Business Drivers
- 2.2.1.3 Business Challenges
- 2.2.2 Application
- 2.2.3 Product
- 2.2.4 Europe (by Country)
- 2.2.4.1 U.K.
- 2.2.4.1.1 Application
- 2.2.4.1.2 Product
- 2.2.4.2 Germany
- 2.2.4.2.1 Application
- 2.2.4.2.2 Product
- 2.2.4.3 France
- 2.2.4.3.1 Application
- 2.2.4.3.2 Product
- 2.2.4.4 Greece
- 2.2.4.4.1 Application
- 2.2.4.4.2 Product
- 2.2.4.5 Norway
- 2.2.4.5.1 Application
- 2.2.4.5.2 Product
- 2.2.4.6 Finland
- 2.2.4.6.1 Application
- 2.2.4.6.2 Product
- 2.2.4.7 Rest-of-Europe
- 2.2.4.7.1 Application
- 2.2.4.7.2 Product
- 2.2.4.1 U.K.
- 2.2.1 Market
3 Markets- Competitive Benchmarking and Companies Profiled
- 3.1 Next Frontiers
- 3.2 Company Profiles
- 3.2.1 Norsepower
- 3.2.1.1 Overview
- 3.2.1.2 Top Products/Product Portfolio
- 3.2.1.3 Top Competitors
- 3.2.1.4 End-Use Applications
- 3.2.1.5 Key Personnel
- 3.2.1.6 Analyst View
- 3.2.1.7 Market Share, 2023
- 3.2.2 bound4blue
- 3.2.2.1 Overview
- 3.2.2.2 Top Products/Product Portfolio
- 3.2.2.3 Top Competitors
- 3.2.2.4 End-Use Applications
- 3.2.2.5 Key Personnel
- 3.2.2.6 Analyst View
- 3.2.2.7 Market Share, 2023
- 3.2.3 Econowind
- 3.2.3.1 Overview
- 3.2.3.2 Top Products/Product Portfolio
- 3.2.3.3 Top Competitors
- 3.2.3.4 End-Use Applications
- 3.2.3.5 Key Personnel
- 3.2.3.6 Analyst View
- 3.2.3.7 Market Share, 2023
- 3.2.4 Anemoi Marine Technologies Ltd.
- 3.2.4.1 Overview
- 3.2.4.2 Top Products/Product Portfolio
- 3.2.4.3 Top Competitors
- 3.2.4.4 End-Use Applications
- 3.2.4.5 Key Personnel
- 3.2.4.6 Analyst View
- 3.2.4.7 Market Share, 2023
- 3.2.5 Airseas
- 3.2.5.1 Overview
- 3.2.5.2 Top Products/Product Portfolio
- 3.2.5.3 Top Competitors
- 3.2.5.4 End-Use Applications
- 3.2.5.5 Key Personnel
- 3.2.5.6 Analyst View
- 3.2.5.7 Market Share, 2023
- 3.2.6 GT Green Technologies
- 3.2.6.1 Overview
- 3.2.6.2 Top Products/Product Portfolio
- 3.2.6.3 Top Competitors
- 3.2.6.4 End-Use Applications
- 3.2.6.5 Key Personnel
- 3.2.6.6 Analyst View
- 3.2.6.7 Market Share, 2023
- 3.2.7 Becker Marine Systems
- 3.2.7.1 Overview
- 3.2.7.2 Top Products/Product Portfolio
- 3.2.7.3 Top Competitors
- 3.2.7.4 End-Use Applications
- 3.2.7.5 Key Personnel
- 3.2.7.6 Analyst View
- 3.2.7.7 Market Share, 2023
- 3.2.8 Propelwind S.A.S.
- 3.2.8.1 Overview
- 3.2.8.2 Top Products/Product Portfolio
- 3.2.8.3 Top Competitors
- 3.2.8.4 End-Use Applications
- 3.2.8.5 Key Personnel
- 3.2.8.6 Analyst View
- 3.2.8.7 Market Share, 2023
- 3.2.9 SkySails Marine
- 3.2.9.1 Overview
- 3.2.9.2 Top Products/Product Portfolio
- 3.2.9.3 Top Competitors
- 3.2.9.4 End-Use Applications
- 3.2.9.5 Key Personnel
- 3.2.9.6 Analyst View
- 3.2.9.7 Market Share, 2023
- 3.2.10 DNV
- 3.2.10.1 Overview
- 3.2.10.2 Top Products/Product Portfolio
- 3.2.10.3 Top Competitors
- 3.2.10.4 End-Use Application
- 3.2.10.5 Key Personnel
- 3.2.10.6 Analyst View
- 3.2.10.7 Market Share, 2023
- 3.2.11 OCEANBIRD
- 3.2.11.1 Overview
- 3.2.11.2 Top Products/Product Portfolio
- 3.2.11.3 Top Competitors
- 3.2.11.4 Target Customers/End Users
- 3.2.11.5 Key Personnel
- 3.2.11.6 Analyst View
- 3.2.11.7 Market Share, 2023
- 3.2.1 Norsepower
4 Research Methodology
- 4.1 Data Sources
- 4.1.1 Primary Data Sources
- 4.1.2 Secondary Data Sources
- 4.1.3 Data Triangulation
- 4.2 Market Estimation and Forecast
List of Figures
- Figure 1: Europe Wind-Assisted Propulsion Market (by Scenario), $Million, 2024, 2027, and 2034
- Figure 2: Wind-Assisted Propulsion Market (by Region), $Million, 2023, 2027, and 2034
- Figure 3: Europe Wind-Assisted Propulsion Market (by Application), $Million, 2023, 2027, and 2034
- Figure 4: Europe Wind-Assisted Propulsion Market (by Technology), $Million, 2023, 2027, and 2034
- Figure 5: Europe Wind-Assisted Propulsion Market (by Installation Type), $Million, 2023, 2027, and 2034
- Figure 6: Europe Wind-Assisted Propulsion Market (by Vessel Type), $Million, 2023, 2027, and 2034
- Figure 7: Key Events
- Figure 8: Supply Chain and Risks within the Supply Chain
- Figure 9: Value Chain Analysis
- Figure 10: Pricing Strategy for Wind-Assisted Propulsion Market, (2023-2034), $Million/Unit
- Figure 11: Patent Analysis (by Patent Office), January 2021-February 2025
- Figure 12: Patent Analysis (by Company), January 2021-February 2025
- Figure 13: Wind Propulsion Savings with Increased Fuel Prices
- Figure 14: Motor Gasoline Energy Prices($/L), 2020-2023
- Figure 15: U.K. Wind-Assisted Propulsion Market, $Million, 2023-2034
- Figure 16: Germany Wind-Assisted Propulsion Market, $Million, 2023-2034
- Figure 17: France Wind-Assisted Propulsion Market, $Million, 2023-2034
- Figure 18: Greece Wind-Assisted Propulsion Market, $Million, 2023-2034
- Figure 19: Norway Wind-Assisted Propulsion Market, $Million, 2023-2034
- Figure 20: Finland Wind-Assisted Propulsion Market, $Million, 2023-2034
- Figure 21: Rest-of-Europe Wind-Assisted Propulsion Market, $Million, 2023-2034
- Figure 22: Data Triangulation
- Figure 23: Top-Down and Bottom-Up Approach
- Figure 24: Assumptions and Limitations
List of Tables
- Table 1: Market Snapshot
- Table 2: Opportunities across Region
- Table 3: Competitive Landscape Snapshot
- Table 4: Trends: Overview
- Table 5: Consortiums and Associations
- Table 6: Regulatory/Certification Bodies
- Table 7: List of Government Programs for the Wind-Assisted Propulsion Market
- Table 8: List of Programs (by Research Institutions and Universities)
- Table 9: Impact Analysis of Market Navigating Factors, 2024-2034
- Table 10: Government Initiatives Promoting Green Shipping Across Various Countries and Regions
- Table 11: Wind-Assisted Propulsion Market (by Region), $Million, 2023-2034
- Table 12: Europe Wind-Assisted Propulsion Market (by Application), $Million, 2023-2034
- Table 13: Europe Wind-Assisted Propulsion Market (by Technology), $Million, 2023-2034
- Table 14: Europe Wind-Assisted Propulsion Market (by Installation Type), $Million, 2023-2034
- Table 15: Europe Wind-Assisted Propulsion Market (by Vessel type), $Million, 2023-2034
- Table 16: U.K. Wind-Assisted Propulsion Market (by Application), $Million, 2023-2034
- Table 17: U.K. Wind-Assisted Propulsion Market (by Technology), $Million, 2023-2034
- Table 18: U.K. Wind-Assisted Propulsion Market (by Installation type), $Million, 2023-2034
- Table 19: U.K. Wind-Assisted Propulsion Market (by Vessel type), $Million, 2023-2034
- Table 20: Germany Wind-Assisted Propulsion Market (by Application), $Million, 2023-2034
- Table 21: Germany Wind-Assisted Propulsion Market (by Technology), $Million, 2023-2034
- Table 22: Germany Wind-Assisted Propulsion Market (by Installation type), $Million, 2023-2034
- Table 23: Germany Wind-Assisted Propulsion Market (by Vessel type), $Million, 2023-2034
- Table 24: France Wind-Assisted Propulsion Market (by Application), $Million, 2023-2034
- Table 25: France Wind-Assisted Propulsion Market (by Technology), $Million, 2023-2034
- Table 26: France Wind-Assisted Propulsion Market (by Installation Type), $Million, 2023-2034
- Table 27: France Wind-Assisted Propulsion Market (by Vessel type), $Million, 2023-2034
- Table 28: Greece Wind-Assisted Propulsion Market (by Application), $Million, 2023-2034
- Table 29: Greece Wind-Assisted Propulsion Market (by Technology), $Million, 2023-2034
- Table 30: Greece Wind-Assisted Propulsion Market (by Installation Type), $Million, 2023-2034
- Table 31: Greece Wind-Assisted Propulsion Market (by Vessel type), $Million, 2023-2034
- Table 32: Norway Wind-Assisted Propulsion Market (by Application), $Million, 2023-2034
- Table 33: Norway Wind-Assisted Propulsion Market (by Technology), $Million, 2023-2034
- Table 34: Norway Wind-Assisted Propulsion Market (by Installation Type), $Million, 2023-2034
- Table 35: Norway Wind-Assisted Propulsion Market (by Vessel type), $Million, 2023-2034
- Table 36: Finland Wind-Assisted Propulsion Market (by Application), $Million, 2023-2034
- Table 37: Finland Wind-Assisted Propulsion Market (by Technology), $Million, 2023-2034
- Table 38: Finland Wind-Assisted Propulsion Market (by Installation type), $Million, 2023-2034
- Table 39: Finland Wind-Assisted Propulsion Market (by Vessel type), $Million, 2023-2034
- Table 40: Rest-of-Europe Wind-Assisted Propulsion Market (by Application), $Million, 2023-2034
- Table 41: Rest-of-Europe Wind-Assisted Propulsion Market (by Technology), $Million, 2023-2034
- Table 42: Rest-of-Europe Wind-Assisted Propulsion Market (by Installation Type), $Million, 2023-2034
- Table 43: Rest-of-Europe Wind-Assisted Propulsion Market (by Vessel type), $Million, 2023-2034
- Table 44: Market Share, 2023
