Tankers have overtaken other ship types in adopting wind-assisted propulsion, with 37 vessels fitted with the technology, reported Saint Petersburg's PortNews.

Following tankers, bulk carriers come in second with 24 ships, which is equal to the combined total of the ro-ro and ro-pax segments. General cargo ships account for 19 vessels. The global fleet of large commercial ships utilizing wind propulsion has now surpassed 100 vessels, representing more than 5 million dwt of cargo capacity.

These ships are equipped with over 230 wind propulsion units and are estimated to reduce CO2 emissions by more than 100,000 tonnes annually. IWSA Secretary General Gavin Allwright stated that this increase was driven by sustained testing, verification, and commercial validation.

The association anticipates that the wind-powered fleet will double over the next 12 months, reaching approximately 200 large commercial vessels by mid-2027. Its Q1 2026 vessel list includes installations on tankers, bulk carriers, ro-ro vessels, ferries, and general cargo ships, covering both newbuilds and retrofits using rotor sails, suction sails, and wing sails.

The International Windship Association is a London-based not-for-profit membership body focused on promoting wind propulsion for commercial shipping. Its members include shipowners, technology developers, ports, regulators, and other maritime stakeholders.