Union Maritime, a UK headquartered vessel operator has ordered two LR2 tankers from the Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding (SWS) yard in China, with three WindWings sails on each vessel.

Singapore-based Ofer family company, Eastern Pacific Shipping, is to install three 22-metre eSails from bound4blue, on board the 2019-built chemical tanker, Pacific Sentinel, later this year.

Netherlands-based stainless steel chemicals tanker owner, Chemship, has commissioned the upgraded 2015-built Chemical Challenger, the first ship in its fleet to have a wind sail retrofit.

Norsepower will install three of its rotor sails to Oldendorff Carriers’ post-panamax bulk carrier Dietrich Oldendorff.

The world’s fifth-largest container shipping company is studying wind-assisted propulsion as part of the company’s R&D activities.

A steel-cutting ceremony has taken place at RMK Marine’s Tuzla shipyard in Turkey for the Neoliner Armateur, the world’s first sailing ro-ro.

The age of sail is making an unexpected return to shipping as the industry looks to reduce its environmental footprint and Michael Grey explores the world of wind propulsion.