Kongsberg Maritime leads EU wind propulsion push

Kongsberg Maritime is leading a new EU-backed project called AWESOME, aimed at speeding up the adoption of wind-assisted propulsion in shipping. The project is designed to reduce uncertainty around wind propulsion systems by providing validated tools, standardised methods and real-world performance data for shipowners and regulators.

What the project aims to do

AWESOME stands for Advanced Wind Energy System Optimisation & Monitoring for Efficiency. It brings together 15 European partners across the maritime value chain, including technology developers, shipowners, operators and research institutions. The project will focus on design, simulation, onboard control, crew training, performance verification and market uptake.

The core goal is to make wind propulsion easier to assess, install and operate at scale. By tackling technical, operational and regulatory barriers, the project hopes to support wider use of wind-assisted systems as a practical emissions-reduction option for shipping.

Why it matters for shipping

Wind propulsion is gaining attention because shipowners are looking for ways to cut fuel use and emissions while meeting tightening environmental requirements. But adoption has been slowed by questions about performance, integration with vessel systems and uncertainty over return on investment.

That is where this project is important: it aims to generate evidence from real operations rather than relying only on theoretical modelling. If successful, it could help move wind-assisted propulsion from niche demonstrations toward broader commercial use.

Kongsberg’s role

As coordinator, Kongsberg Maritime will help lead collaboration between the project partners and oversee the development of the tools and methodologies. The company has already been active in the wind-assist space, including services intended to help shipowners select and implement wind-assist technologies more effectively.

The new project also fits into a broader European maritime decarbonisation effort that includes similar research and demonstration work on wind as a propulsion source. For the industry, that means wind-assisted propulsion is increasingly being treated not as an experimental idea, but as a serious part of the transition to lower-emission shipping.