About the Pacific Hub
The Formation of the IWSA Pacific Wind Propulsion Hub
The International Windship Association (IWSA) and the Micronesian Center for Sustainable Transport (MCST) joined forces to establish the Pacific Wind Propulsion Hub, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at advancing wind propulsion technology in the Pacific region.
This partnership, formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on November 8, 2023, combines regional expertise with international resources to significantly reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from shipping.
Building on a shared vision for sustainable and efficient shipping, IWSA and MCST are leveraging their complementary strengths to develop a vibrant ecosystem for wind propulsion solutions. The hub serves as a nexus for capacity building, knowledge exchange, and collaboration, integrating Indigenous knowledge and local development priorities with global innovations and networks.
The Pacific Wind Propulsion Hub is designed to:
- Support Maritime Decarbonization: Act as a center of excellence for research, development, and advocacy in the adoption of wind propulsion technology across the region.
- Foster Collaboration: Unite maritime organizations, companies, and stakeholders to share best practices and technical expertise.
- Promote Education and Training: Build capacity through training programs, educational services, and Indigenous knowledge integration.
The Pacific Hub will lower barriers to finance and services while creating equitable opportunities for all stakeholders in the wind propulsion sector. D As the second wind propulsion hub established by IWSA and regional partners, this initiative represents a significant step in shaping a sustainable shipping industry while addressing the unique challenges of the Pacific’s maritime nations.
Read the related Press Release here
News and Events
European Maritime Transport Environmental Report 2025
The European Maritime Transport Environmental Report 2025 (EMTER 2025) was released on 04 February 2025. IWSA has contributed to the report and the IWSA Secretary General was also kindly invited by the European Environment Agency and European Maritime safety Agency to join one of the two expert panels discussing the report findings, the impact of this report and also the wider ramifications of the scaling of wind propulsion and other energy transition pathways. Read Full Report Here
Launch – Primary wind powered Neoliner launched in Turkey
The Neoliner Origin RoRo ship was launched at RMK Marine shipyard in Tuzla, Turkey on the 31st January 2025. The vessel will be moored at RMK Marine’s outfitting quay, where the final outfitting works, the mast installation,and dock trials will take place. The first steel plate was cut in November 2023 and the laying of the first block in February 2024. The 136m long vessel will primarily be powered by two 76-meter Solid Sail carbon masts with retractable leeboards. Read Press Release Here
Call for Papers – SNAME Journal of Sailing Technology
The SNAME Journal of Sailing Technology, in partnership with the International Windship Association, has launched its first-ever special edition on the topic of Wind Propulsion for Ships. Led by Sofia Werner of RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, this special edition aims to gather the state-of-the-art in Wind Propulsion for Ships. Papers are invited on all aspects of Wind Propulsion for Ships including, but not limited to, aerodynamics, hydrodynamics, performance prediction, sea trials, economic and environmental assessments.
𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝘀𝘂𝗯𝗺𝗶𝘁?
✓ Open-access, peer-reviewed publication at no cost to authors or readers, thanks to SNAME’s sponsorship
✓ Short review times (4-6 weeks) by world-leading experts
✓ Papers will be eligible for the 2025 Best Paper and Best Student Paper Awards
Deadline: 15th October 2025. Submission Details Here
About the IWSA
The International Windship Association (IWSA) is a member-driven, not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting wind propulsion solutions for commercial shipping. Our mission is to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and fuel consumption by advancing wind propulsion technologies and integrating them into the global shipping industry.
IWSA Mission:
- Promote: Highlight the economic and environmental benefits of wind propulsion.
- Educate: Serve as a central hub for information, educating shipowners, operators, shipyards, ports, governments, and the public about wind propulsion.
- Network: Unite like-minded organizations and individuals to share ideas, technical expertise, and market information.
- Incubate: Secure funding, foster project collaboration, and support research and development.
- Facilitate: Establish common approaches for project development and advocate for policies and incentives to retrofit existing ships and build new wind-powered vessels
IWSA Vision: A sustainable and efficient global shipping industry that significantly reduces its environmental impact through the adoption of wind propulsion technologies.
Contact IWSA: For more information, please visit the IWSA website | Linkedin |or email us here
Get in touch
If you would like to find out more about the International Windship Association, please drop us an email secretary@wind-ship.org or follow us on Linkedin or visit the IWSA website
Resource Center
When it comes to Wind Propulsion and Commercial Shipping – Small is indeed Beautiful! The development of the wind propulsion segment in general over the last couple of years has been one of an upsurge in interest and engagement, especially with the deployment of wind-assist systems on larger vessels where it can be argued the vast majority of cargo is transported and the lion’s share of emissions are generated.
Read MoreSummary During the Pacific Islands Transport Forum & Expo, MCST initiated a partnership with Swire Shipping/China Navigation Co. to undertake Phase 1 of the Cerulean Project over the course of 2019.
Read MoreIn the Spring of 2020, sailor Shanan Wolfe was the first mate on SV Kwai, a 179 ton cargo topsail ketch. Kwai has been delivering cargo and passengers in the Pacific Ocean, mainly between Hawaii and Kiribati and the Cook Islands, since 2006. The following are excerpts from Shanan’s logs. Learn more about Kwai at http://svkwai.com/ and follow Shanan’s adventures on Instagram @the_mangowolfe
Read MoreThis article is part of a series linked to our new exhibit: "A New Age Of Sail: The History And Future Of Sail Freight In The Hudson Valley," and tells the stories of sailing cargo ships both modern and historical, on the Hudson River and around the world. Anyone interested in how to support Sail Freight should also check out the Conference in November, and the International Windship Association's Decade of Wind Propulsion.
Read More
