Leonhardt & Blumberg Installs Econowind Wind Suction Sails on First of Four Cargo Ships

German shipowner Leonhardt & Blumberg (L&B) announced on August that it had installed Dutch company Econowind’s wind-assisted propulsion system, “VentoFoil,“ on the general cargo vessel “HANSA DREJOE.“ It will be the first of a series of four general cargo vessels to be equipped with the system. By installing the system, L&B aims to advance the decarbonization of its fleet.

The system was installed in early August at the Royal Niestern Sander Shipyard in the Netherlands. The second vessel in the series, “HANSA CHRISTIANSOE,“ is currently in dry dock.

According to Econowind’s estimates, the introduction of “VentoFoil“ is expected to increase thrust by approximately 10%, resulting in corresponding reductions in fuel consumption and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.

The four vessels in the series were designed from the outset by Groot Ship Design of the Netherlands to accommodate wind propulsion systems.
The first and second vessels were delivered in the first half of 2025. The remaining two vessels are currently under construction in China and are scheduled to sail to Europe in the first half of 2027 for final outfitting and sea trials.