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Cargo ships return to sail power
The gist
More than 100 large merchant ships now use modern wind propulsion, over 5 million deadweight tons.
The systems cut fuel use, not replace engines.
How it unfolded
- Sep 15, 2026gCaptain reports that more than 100 large merchant ships are now equipped with modern wind propulsion systems, over 5 million deadweight tons of capacity, per the International Windship Association.
- Sep 15, 2026HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and BAR Technologies work on a 174,000-cubic-meter LNG carrier with the accommodation block moved toward the bow to free upper-deck space for WindWings; HD Hyundai leads basic design and review, BAR provides WindWings technical data and projected fuel savings.
- Sep 17, 2026GIGAZINE reports wind power is being re-evaluated as propulsion for cargo ships and tankers, with cylindrical and rigid sail installations progressing.