With the successful demonstration of the first wing sail from Oceanbird – Wing 560 – we enter a new phase where rigid wing sails will be a common sight on the oceans.
“This is truly a milestone. Together, we are advancing towards fossil free shipping” said Andreas Carlson, Sweden´s Minister of Infrastructure and Housing at the inauguration.
The 40-metre-high wing rose into the sky, shielding the late August sun as it unfolded its two segments and showed off a full rotation. Aside from being a new landmark in Landskrona, Southern Sweden, it will be an important site for crew training, customers visits and optimisation of the automation system. On the 25th of August 2025, Wing 560 was officially launched.
“We need pioneers who are willing to take risks, to innovate and to lead the way into the green industrial transformation and this is a great example of leadership. Oceanbird stands as proof of this success” said Andreas Carlson, Sweden´s Minister of Infrastructure and Housing at the inauguration.
3 years intensive R&D work
The Oceanbird company was formed 3,5 years ago as a joint venture between Alfa Laval and Wallenius Lines. Since then, we have developed a rigid, 40-metre high and 14-metre-wide wing sail. The core is made of high strength steel, and the aerodynamic surface is a sandwich construction of glass fiber composites and 370,000 recycled plastic bottles.
“We had a clear mission: to prove that wind can once again play a significant role in powering ships. After roughly three years of hard work and long days, we are standing here with the first prototype of the Wing 560 sail, ready to show it to you — to the world — and to take orders” said Magnus MackAldener, interim CEO & Head of R&D at Oceanbird.
Twin wing to be installed onboard
The first wing sail will be permanently placed at the shipyard Oresund DryDocks in Landskrona, where also an identical, second wing sail is being assembled during the autumn. That will be installed on Wallenius Wilhelmsen´s vessel Tirranna in the beginning of 2026.
Pictures from inauguration
“We believe that wind propulsion can grow into a significant new industry for Sweden — one that brings together engineering, sustainability, and maritime leadership” said Magnus MackAldener, interim CEO & Head of R&D at Oceanbird, and also moderator at the inauguration.
“This would not have been possible without two strong owners backing us. I think it is fair to say that Oceanbird is a startup with a strong backup. Our two owners, Alfa Laval and Wallenius, have been crucial to making this vision a reality” said Magnus when introducing the key speakers of the day:
Andreas Carlson, Sweden´s Minister of Infrastructure and Housing
Jonas Kleberg, CEO of Soya Group/Wallenius
Tom Erixon, CEO of Alfa Laval
The demonstration was followed by interactive stations, where among else the models from the research project and recent wind tunnel test was demonstrated.
The speakers took the opportunity to maneuver the wing sail from the control room.
Even though the largest part is recycled plastic bottles, Ho-Ann Chen and Morgan Wallin demonstrated its strength and robustness.
As a tribute to the partnership with ABBA Voyage, a string quartette from Helsingborg orchestra played ABBA songs.
Anette Maltun Koefoed and Henrik Skjerve from Wallenius Wilhelmsen.
Jim Corbitt, Environmental Director at World Shipping Council and Gavin Allwright, General Secretary of International Wind Ship Organization (IWSA).
Tom Erixon, CEO of Alfa Laval, talked with Oceanbird´s Antonia Hillenbrand about primary wind-powered ships.
Wallenius CEO Jonas Kleberg has spent his entire working life to lead the way towards truly sustainable shipping.
Anna Wieslander, CEO of the other joint venture between Alfa Laval and Wallenius: PureBallast.
As Head of Marine Division at Alfa Laval, Sameer Kalra played a crucial part in forming the company Oceanbird 3,5 years ago.
