With the small wind propulsion vessel sector growing at a rate of knots, the International Windship Association is surveying relevant stakeholders to gain a deeper understanding into the drivers and barriers to upscaling the use of wind energy on smaller vessel types.

 In recent years, the number of small vessels sailing using wind as their primary energy source or using wind-assist wind propulsion technology has been increasing steadily. Over the last few months there has been a further uptick in interest and vessel launchings.

The opportunity for reducing fossil fuel use on smaller vessels engaged in domestic and international trades makes wind energy an attractive, viable option for owners which is supported by the availability of multiple mature technologies.

To understand why wind energy use is increasing in these small vessel segments and to ascertain what barriers may be holding back further expansion in the number of wind-powered vessels, the International Windship Association (IWSA) has launched a new survey to gather insight from the industry.

IWSA’s aim in surveying the industry and disseminating gathered insights from vessel operators’ and cargo owners’ shared experience is to assist harbours/ports in better understanding the sector. In addition, seafarers interested in engaging in the sector will also be better informed, as will the vessel operators that employ and train them.

Respondent feedback from small vessel owners operating vessels that use wind energy plus insights from other relevant stakeholders will be published by IWSA in a Small Wind Propulsion Vessel publication.

Gavin Allwright, Secretary General of IWSA says: “The results of this survey will help inform IWSA’s future work around wind propulsion deployment in the small commercial vessel sector both in developed and lesser developed regions of the world where maritime transport can be absolutely critical . The aim of the resulting Small Wind Propulsion Vessel publication will be to help to facilitate discussions and debate around the issues facing the sector helping to bring together the network further and identify areas that require collective action at an industry, market and policy/regulatory level.”

Stakeholders in any small vessel segments of the industry are invited to participate in the survey. In the survey, a “small vessel” has a fairly broad definition, with vessels under 1000GT included, though this classification issue is one of the questions also under consideration,