When:
17th Feb 2026 - 18th Feb 2026
Bookings:
Where:
International Maritime Organization's Headquarters, 4 Albert Embankment, London, SE1 7SR
As the maritime industry accelerates its drive towards a sustainable future, the need for innovative alternative power and propulsion technologies is becoming increasingly urgent. Among these, wind-assisted propulsion is rapidly emerging as a practical, scalable solution. Drawing on one of the oldest principles in shipping, modern wind technologies are now taking centre stage in efforts to reduce emissions.
Since its inaugural edition in 2019, the Wind Propulsion Conference has established itself as a leading platform for industry stakeholders — from shipowners and classification societies to technology developers, researchers, and policy-makers — to connect and collaborate. The sector is gaining momentum, with 54 large vessels equipped with wind propulsion systems by the second half of 2024, another seven vessels built wind-ready, and over 80 new wind-powered ships expected by 2025/26. The global fleet is on track to surpass 100 installations by the end of 2025.
The Wind Propulsion 2026 Conference will provide critical updates on technology, design, policy, and performance. Attendees will gain valuable insights, engage with leaders across the field, and help shape the future of sustainable shipping.
Registration Fees:
- Member: £
- Non Member: £
- Group: £
- Student: £
(All prices are ex-VAT)
In Association with:
Gold Sponsor:
Silver Sponsors:
Audience:
The Wind Propulsion Conference attracts over 150 professionals at the forefront of sustainable maritime innovation, including naval architects, engineers, shipowners, class societies, technology developers, researchers, and regulators.
Past contributors have included DNV, Lloyd’s Register, ABS, Bureau Veritas Solutions M&O, MOL, Hapag-Lloyd AG, Norsepower, bound4blue, Anemoi Marine Technologies, OceanWings, BAR Technologies, MARIN, SINTEF Ocean, RISE, Delft University of Technology, Wärtsilä, Dassault Systèmes, TotalEnergies, as well as policy organisations such as the IMO and BIMCO.
This is the premier opportunity to engage with the organisations and individuals driving the next generation of wind propulsion solutions.
Tuesday 17th February 2026
| Tuesday 17th February 2026 | ||
| 08.30-09.20 | Coffee and Registration | |
| Session 1 | Plenary | |
| 09.20-09.30 | Welcome Address, The Royal Institution of Naval Architects | |
| 09.30-09.40 | Welcome Address, Gold Sponsor - DNV | |
| 09.40-09.45 | Silver Sponsor - Vaisala | |
| 09.45-10.00 | Setting the Scene / Keynote | |
| 10.00-10.10 | Keynote | |
| 10.10-10.40 | Policy and Regulation Roundtable: | |
| 10.40-11.00 | Shorter Pitch Session (5-min presentations): | |
| 1. Synergistic Effects of Voyage Optimization and Wind-Assisted Propulsion on Fuel Consumption in Global Trade Routes. | ||
| Andreas Fellman, NAPA OY | ||
| 2. Quantifying Wind-Assist Benefits via Matched ON/OFF Windows, Full-Ship VPP Modelling (with Feather Mode), and Transient CFD under Time-Varying Wind, with Control System Assessment | ||
| Jimmy Lirvat, GT Wings | ||
| 3. Advanced Manoeuvring Simulation and Operational Training for Wind-Assisted Ship Propulsion (WASP) Integration | ||
| Raul Redondo, Siport21 | ||
| 4. TBC | ||
| 11.00-11.30 | Coffee | |
| Session 2 | Stream 1: Standards & Verification | Stream 2: Market Development |
| 11.30-11.50 | TBC | Benefit of WPT when it comes to choice of fuels under IMO-EU Regulatory Frameworks |
| David Connolly, UMAS | ||
| 11.50-12.10 | Sea Trial Methodologies for Wind Propulsion: A Study of Uncertainty | 2,000 Wind-Powered Ships: Fleet Diffusion S-Curves and the Route to 2030 |
| Sofia Werner, RISE - SSPA | Dr Nico van der Kolk, AlbatrosDigital | |
| Dr James Mason, Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, United Kingdom | ||
| 12.10-12.30 | Performance verification methodologies for vessels with Wind Assisted Propulsion | Smart IMO GFI compliance Strategies for all Low and Zero carbon fuel options by implementing Wind Propulsion Technologies |
| Luke McEwen, Anemoi Marine Technologies | Konstantinos Fakiolas, FINOCEAN | |
| 12.30-13.00 | Q&A Panel | Q&A Panel |
| 13.00-14.00 | Lunch | |
| Session 3 | Stream 1: Manoeuvring Standards & Anti Drift Devices | Stream 2: Ship Fatigue & Power Saving |
| 14.00-14.20 | New manoeuvring standards incorporating wind propulsion | Prediction of fatigue damage and power saving of a wind assisted propulsion system |
| Anton Kisjes, MARIN | Gaute Storhaug, DNV | |
| 14.20-14.40 | Maximizing Wind-Assisted Propulsion Efficiency Through Active Drift Compensation. | Sensitivity Analysis of the Wind Load Effect on WAPS Foundation Fatigue |
| Alessandro Castagna, Becker Marine Systems | Lizzie McGraig, Lloyds Register | |
| 14.40-15.00 | Appendage Selection for Primary Wind-Powered Ships: A Fine Balance Of BANG VS. BUCK | Experimental and numerical investigation of a zero emission cruise ship with wing sails |
| Frederik Gerhardt, RISE, Research Institutes of Sweden | Øyvind Rabliås, SINTEF Ocean | |
| 15.00-15.30 | Q&A Panel | Q&A Panel |
| 15.30-16.00 | Coffee | |
| 16.00-16.45 | Legal/Contract Roundtable | |
| 16.45-17.00 | Closing Remarks | |
| 17.00-19.00 | Drinks Reception | |
Wednesday 18th February 2026
| Wednesday 18th February 2026 | ||
| 08.30-09.30 | Coffee and Registration | |
| Session 1 | Plenary | |
| 09.30-09.35 | Welcome Address, The Royal Institution of Naval Architects | |
| 09.35-09.50 | Setting the Scene / Keynote | |
| 09.50-09.55 | Silver Sponsor – Lloyd’s Register | |
| 09.55-10.00 | TBC | |
| 10.00-10.40 | Shipowners Installations, Experience Roundtable: | |
| 10.40-11.00 | Shorter Pitch Session (5-min presentations): | |
| 1. Savings Assessment on the Ro-Ro Ville de Bordeaux with eSAILs by Numerical Modelling supported with Operational Data | ||
| Camille Blayo, Bureau Veritas Solutions M&O | ||
| 2. Wind propulsion reality goes beyond performance: a testimony of a shipowner operating and building wind powered vessels | ||
| Pierre-Arthur Fortin, LD Armateurs | ||
| 3. TBC | ||
| 4. TBC | ||
| 11.00-11.30 | Coffee | |
| Session 2 | Stream 1: Performance Tools & Methods | Stream 2: Systems Interaction |
| 11.30-11.50 | Neoliner Origin from Design to Practice: Multidisciplinary Feedback on a Wind-Powered RoRo Vessel | Aerodynamic interactions and thrust production of two Flettner rotors in wind-tunnel |
| Frederic Deybach, TotalEnergies | ||
| Chloé Duport – PhD., Aerodynamic Engineer, Chantiers de l’Atlantique | ||
| Jules Richeux – MSc., Naval Engineer-Architect, NEOLINE | ||
| Morgan Le Garrec – MSc., Naval Engineer-Architect, MAURIC | ||
| 11.50-12.10 | From single to multiple: Experimental insights into eSAIL® performance and aerodynamic interference | WASP aerodynamic interactions with deck structures: Using model scale wind tunnel testing to model these complex interactions. |
| Alberto Llopis Pascual, bound4blue | Magnus Gregory, Wolfson Unit | |
| 12.10-12.30 | Impact analysis of different wind statistics methodologies on fuel saving | TBC |
| Norbert Bulten, Wartsila | ||
| 12.30-13.00 | Q&A Panel | Q&A Panel |
| 13.00-14.00 | Lunch | |
| Session 3 | Stream 1: Performance Evaluation | Stream 2: Training |
| 14.00-14.20 | Performance assessment of Wind-Assisted Propulsion Systems (WAPS): an integrated | Supporting crews in the transition to wind-assisted shipping: Human-Centred Design and bridge simulations |
| approach combining wind tunnel tests, CFD, and analytical models | Niklas van Duinen, MARIN | |
| Clément Gouriou, CWS Morel | ||
| 14.20-14.40 | Data-driven control of wind propulsion systems | A systematic approach to WAP control interface design and its integration with maritime operations |
| Ville Paakkari, Norsepower | Etienne Gernez, ARKITEKTUR- OG DESIGNHØGSKOLEN I OSLO | |
| 14.40-15.00 | Fibre Optic Strain Gauges for Thrust Measurement: A Method of Performance Validation for Wind Assisted Ship Propulsion | Fully Coupled Simulation of a WASP in Wind and Waves Enabled by Generative AI for the Ocean Environment |
| Will Hopes, BAR Technologies | Kevin Maki, University of Michigan | |
| 15.00-15.30 | Q&A Panel | Q&A Panel |
| 15.30-16.00 | Coffee | |
| 16.00-16.45 | Safety, Hazards, Assessments Roundtable | |
| 16.45-17.00 | Closing Remarks & Closure | |
| 17.00-19.00 | Drinks Reception | |
Exhibitors:
Name Badge Sponsor:
Topics:
Market level assessment
Concept level assessment
Technology level assessment
Registration:
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