technology
North Windships helps you navigate wind-assisted propulsion with confidence, from conception through to sea trials and long-term support.
North Windships provide expert consultancy and design services for wind-assisted propulsion systems, assisting shipowners, naval architects, and yards navigate the transition to low-carbon shipping. With decades of experience in the maritime sector, from North Sails, Future Fibres, Southern Spars, and RigPro, we offer fully integrated solutions tailored to your vessel’s needs. From conventional soft sails to advanced composite rig structures and automated control systems, we provide end-to-end expertise across the full spectrum of wind-assisted power.
Whether your project involves a retrofit or newbuild, we work with trusted, class-compliant technologies that are already delivering fuel savings and emissions reductions at sea. Drawing from operational data and practical deployment experience, we help de-risk innovation and guide you toward solutions with measurable return on investment.
Every vessel is different. That’s why we design tailored rig systems, from high-efficiency fore-and-aft rigs to scalable soft sail or solid wing concepts, optimised for your route profile, operational constraints, and decarbonisation targets. Using lightweight composite spars and rigging, we can reduce topside weight, increase sail area, and maximise structural efficiency without compromising safety.
Modern sailing systems offer push-button control, integrated monitoring, and automation to make wind propulsion viable for commercial operations. Our designs incorporate unique load management, emergency response systems, and crew-friendly layouts, helping you meet global safety and compliance requirements while simplifying onboard operations.
Wind propulsion shouldn’t be high-maintenance. With global service coverage, remote diagnostics, and robust hardware design, we focus on delivering long-term reliability and manageable maintenance cycles, supported by a network of experts trained in composite spars, rigging, and sail technologies.
Wind propulsion reduces fuel use, protects against future carbon costs, and enhances your vessel’s environmental profile. Our rig solutions are engineered to preserve cargo capacity, streamline deck logistics, and integrate cleanly into existing vessel structures, making wind power a practical tool for reducing emissions and total cost of ownership.
North Windships helps you navigate wind-assisted propulsion with confidence, from conception through to sea trials and long-term support.
Whether you’re exploring wind as a primary driver or a hybrid assist, we help you make it work safely, efficiently, and commercially.
solutions / products
CLEAN FUEL
HYBRID PROPULSION
fuel consumption
Voyage Planning
Wind is the ultimate clean fuel—100% renewable, freely available, and completely carbon-free. The DynaRig takes full advantage of this by enabling large ships to harness wind energy with exceptional efficiency. By using wind as the primary means of propulsion, vessels can dramatically reduce their dependence on fossil fuels such as marine diesel or LNG. This not only cuts emissions but also supports a more sustainable and environmentally responsible way of operating at sea.
The DynaRig system offers an ideal platform for integrating hybrid or low-emission propulsion technologies. By delivering powerful and efficient sail-driven performance, DynaRig allows vessels to rely less on their engines, which can operate at reduced power or even be switched off entirely when sailing conditions permit. This makes it especially well-suited to work alongside next-generation, low-emission engines such as those powered by LNG, methanol, or ammonia. The result is a cleaner, quieter, and more sustainable approach to propulsion—combining the elegance of wind power with the innovation of future-ready marine engineering.
DynaRig technology has been shown through studies and prototype trials to significantly reduce fuel consumption, with savings of 20–40% depending on the vessel type and route. By harnessing the power of the wind to assist propulsion, ships require less engine power, leading to a substantial drop in fuel use. And with less fuel burned, there’s a direct reduction in CO₂ emissions—making DynaRig a practical and impactful solution for lowering a vessel’s environmental footprint.
When integrated with modern voyage planning and routing software, DynaRig systems enable smarter, more efficient navigation. By optimising sail use along wind-efficient routes, vessels can make the most of available wind power, significantly reducing engine use and fuel consumption. This intelligent approach to routing not only enhances performance and efficiency but also maximises the environmental and economic benefits of wind-assisted propulsion.