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Wind-assisted propulsion systems (WAPS) company  (Paris, France) has received approval in principle (AiP) from ClassNK (Nippon Kaiji Kyokai, Tokyo, Japan), a ship classification society, for its wind-assisted propulsion technology, an automated, self-raising and lowering vertical wingsail system made of composites (OceanWings won a JEC Innovation Award in 2024).

With increasingly stringent environmental regulations and rapid digitalization, the maritime industry is accelerating the development and adoption of new technologies. However, innovative technologies and concept-based solutions must comply with international conventions and classification society regulations to ensure safety and feasibility. ClassNK’s AiP certification service plays a crucial role in verifying the technical viability of such designs at an early stage, benefiting not only the Japanese market but the global shipping industry as well.

“Receiving AiP certification from ClassNK is a significant milestone for OceanWings,” says Christophe Paillusseau, VP of sales and marketing, OceanWings. “This achievement strengthens our efforts to introduce wind-assisted propulsion solutions for deep-sea vessels, including bulk carriers, PCCs and chemical tankers.”

With this certification in hand, OceanWings is now focused on expanding its presence in Japan, seeking strategic investments and industry partnerships to further promote wind propulsion technology.