Three wings. One spar. Built for the working fleet.
We didn't set out to build the biggest sail. We set out to build one that ordinary ships could carry. Every design choice on this page comes back to that.
What is a wing sail?
A wing sail is a rigid, aircraft-style aerofoil mounted on a ship's deck. Instead of a flexible cloth sail, it uses a solid shaped wing to generate lift from the wind, which pushes the ship forward and lets the engine work less.
Wing sails are one of five main types of wind-assisted propulsion, alongside rotor sails, suction sails, kites and soft sails. The Windship rig stands three wings side by side and turns them as one.
Rigid aerofoil sails for cargo vessels, in which multiple pairs of leading and trailing aerofoil sections are supported on a rotatable spar.The invention protected by the Windship patent family
- Leading sectionA rigid white aerofoil that meets the wind first
- Trailing flapAngles behind it to add lift or spill it
- One sparTurns all three wings to the wind together
How the Windship rig works.
Three wings, one system
Three identical wings stand side by side on a single rotating spar, tied together by a spreader truss. Each is a two-part aerofoil: a rigid leading section and a full-height trailing flap, with a slot between them.
Always trimmed
The spar turns to the apparent wind and the flaps set their angle automatically. The bridge sets the mode; the control system does the sailing.
Down when it matters
A lift and lower mechanism brings the rig down for port calls, cargo operations, bridges and heavy weather.
Made to last at sea
Wings and flaps are infused composite, built by ShapeShift in Batam and chosen for strength to weight, corrosion resistance and dimensional stability. Designed for 25+ years of service.
Turn the wind. Watch the rig answer.
Move the apparent wind from close-hauled to running. The spar turns to hold the wings at a working angle to the wind and the flaps camber towards leeward, as the control system would at sea.
Drag or use the arrows to turn the ship- Spar rotation
- 48°
- Wing to wind
- 12°
- Flap
- 18°
Scale model for illustration. Trim and flap angles are indicative, not control-system outputs.
Specification
The numbers a technical superintendent asks for first.
| Type | Triple-wing rigid aerofoil sail |
|---|---|
| Arrangement | Three identical wings side by side on one rotating spar, joined by a spreader truss |
| Each wing | Rigid leading section with a full-height trailing flap, built in three segments |
| Rig height | 36 m standard; 45 m and 55 m for larger ships |
| Weight per rig | ~150 tonnes |
| Mounting | Single pedestal with diagonal struts, on the centreline between hatches |
| Deck foundation | Designed for each vessel after a structural assessment and approved by class. Local strengthening under the pedestal may be required; the rig's low weight is intended to keep it to a minimum |
| Operation | Automatic rotation and flap trim; raise, lower and stow |
| Material | Infused composite, manufactured by ShapeShift Technologies |
| Design life | 25+ years |
| Rigs per vessel | 1, 2 or 4, depending on deck length and route |
| Price | USD 3.8 million per 36 m rig; larger rigs priced per vessel |
| Certification | DNV Approval in Principle, 6 September 2021. Type Approval to follow with the launch partner |
| Patents | 30+ granted across 12+ jurisdictions, to July 2033 |
Why lighter matters.
Weight is the quiet reason most of the fleet hasn't adopted wind. A heavy rig means a stronger deck, a longer shipyard stay and cargo you can no longer carry. For a bulk carrier, every tonne of rig is a tonne of paying cargo left on the quay, voyage after voyage.
At around 150 tonnes per rig, Windship is designed to keep structural work on the decks those ships already have to a minimum. That's what opens the sail to Capesize, Newcastlemax and VLOC bulkers, VLCCs, heavy-lift and project cargo vessels, and the rest of the fleet that does the hardest work.
Wing sails and the other wind technologies.
Five ways to put the wind to work. Each has its place; this is where a wing sail fits. For the full picture, read our guide to wind-assisted propulsion.
| Technology | How it works | Typical strength | Typical limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wing sail (Windship) | Rigid aerofoils generate lift like an aircraft wing | High power per rig, no energy spent to spin or suck | Needs deck length and air draft management |
| Rotor sail | Spinning cylinder uses the Magnus effect | Compact footprint | Uses electrical power to spin; heavy |
| Suction sail | Fans draw air over a thick wing to boost lift | Compact, modular | Uses power for fans; smaller output per unit |
| Kite | Towing kite flown ahead of the ship | Little deck space | Complex launch and recovery |
| Soft sail | Fabric sails on masts | Simple, proven | Lower output, crew intensive |
Wing sail questions.
New to wind? Start with our guide to wind-assisted propulsion.
What is a rigid wing sail?
A rigid wing sail is a solid aerofoil, shaped like an aircraft wing and stood upright on a ship's deck. It turns to face the wind and generates lift that pushes the ship forward. Unlike a cloth sail it holds its shape, and unlike a rotor sail it needs no power to spin.
How does a triple-wing sail work?
The Windship rig stands three identical wings side by side on one rotating spar. Each wing has a rigid leading section and a full-height trailing flap. The spar turns all three to the apparent wind and the flaps angle to add lift, so the rig draws more thrust from the same breeze.
How tall and how heavy is a Windship rig?
The standard rig stands 36 metres, with 45 m and 55 m sizes for larger ships. Each rig weighs about 150 tonnes. Every installation needs a vessel-specific structural assessment and foundation design, approved by class, and some local deck strengthening may be required. The rig's low weight is intended to keep that work to a minimum.
Does the crew have to trim the sails?
No. The spar turns to the apparent wind and the flaps set their angle automatically. The bridge chooses the mode and the control system does the sailing.
What happens in port or in heavy weather?
A lift and lower mechanism brings the rig down for port calls, cargo operations, bridges and heavy weather.
What is it made of and how long does it last?
Wings and flaps are infused composite, built by ShapeShift Technologies in its 20,000 m² facility in the Batam Special Economic Zone. The rig is designed for more than 25 years of service.
How much does a wing sail cost?
A 36 m Windship rig is priced at USD 3.8 million. Larger rigs are priced per vessel. The calculator shows payback for your own ship.
See what the wind is worth on your ship.
Enter one vessel. See its wind share, fuel and carbon saved, and when the rigs pay for themselves.