An important step towards emission free shipping

After the successful first onboard wing installation, Oceanbird is installing two wing sails during 2027 on the car-carrier M/V Way Forward, chartered by Volkswagen Konzernlogistik.

“It is our first multi-wing installation and an important step towards our vision of a primary wind-powered vessel” says Oceanbird CEO Amrit Kaur Bhullar.

In June 2026, the first Oceanbird wing sail was installed on the vessel Tirranna. The installation was completed successfully, and wing sail is working as intended. Performance data will be verified by a third party provider during autumn.

Already, Oceanbird´s site in Landskrona is assembling the next two wing sails, to be installed onboard the car-carrier M/V Way Forward during 2027. This will be the first multi-wing installation for Oceanbird.

“Oceanbird was created to advance emission free shipping by providing wing sails that are so powerful that - in a set – could propel the vessel forward on windy routes and cut the fuel consumption on the entire journey by half. Therefore, we are very excited to deliver our first multi-wing installation” says Oceanbird CEO Amrit Kaur Bhullar.

“Key fossil-free source of propulsion”

Way Forward was built by Wallenius Marine and is charted by Volkswagen Konzernlogistik. The vessel has been in operation for almost two years and holds the highest CII rating (A). By integrating Oceanbird's wing sails, the vessel is expected to further improve its environmental performance while generating valuable operational experience and data from wind-assisted propulsion in commercial service.

Wallenius has a long track record of pioneering innovative vessel design, and the installation of Oceanbird wing sails forms part of the company's broader efforts to explore new technologies and improve energy efficiency across its operations.

“We are convinced that wind will be a key fossil-free source of propulsion in the future of shipping. By installing wing sails on our own vessel, we are taking a tangible step from vision to reality and accelerating our journey towards a more sustainable fleet,” says Johan Mattsson, CEO of Wallenius Marine.

Collaboration for innovation

For Oceanbird, the project demonstrates growing confidence in wind propulsion as a solution for reducing fuel consumption and emissions in commercial shipping. The collaboration highlights how shipowners, technology providers and cargo owners can work together to accelerate the transition to more sustainable maritime transport.

"We are delighted to see wind propulsion solutions reach not only the hearts of shipowners, but also charterers. Innovators like these are leading the change to truly sustainable shipping and we are proud to be part of that" Amrit Kaur Bhullar, Oceanbird CEO.

 About M/V Way Forward

Capacity: 6,500 car equivalent units
Year built: 2024
Design: Wallenius Marine, KNUD E. HANSEN
Owner: Wallenius Lines

Flag state: Sweden
Multi-fuel: LNG, LBG, diesel and synthetic diesel
Mission: Longtime chartered to the Volkswagen Group to transport cars between Europe and America