German shipowner Leonhardt & Blumberg has equipped Hansa Drejoe with Econowind VentoFoils. The vessel is the first of four general cargo newbuilds to receive wind propulsion technology.
Royal Niestern Sander Shipyard completed the first installation on Hansa Drejoe at in early August, with Hansa Christiansoe currently at the yard. Econowind has calculated that the VentoFoils will deliver around ten per cent additional thrust, reducing fuel consumption and CO2 emissions accordingly. The assessment uses the vessels’ actual trading routes throughout the year.
‘We see wind-assisted ship propulsion as a logical next step in our journey toward greener operations,’ says Christoph Meier, Naval Architect at Leonhardt & Blumberg. ‘Of course, the business case is important, but we also feel a responsibility to move the industry forward. Econowind’s practical and well-developed technology allows us to do both, while gaining real operational experience along the way.’
Also read: Econowind moves into deepsea market with new VentoFoils
Designed for wind-assisted ship propulsion
Groot Ship Design was responsible for the design of the four vessels. An unnamed Chinese shipyard delivered the first two in the first half of 2025. The other two are currently under construction in China. The Groot XL-type vessels have all been designed for easy integration of wind-assisted ship propulsion from the outset. This ensures optimal placement and seamless installation. The two vessels under construction are expected to arrive in Europe in the first half of 2027. Here, final outfitting and commissioning will take place.
Stijn Engelage, Sales Manager at Econowind: ‘Our goal with VentoFoils is simple: to deliver measurable fuel savings with a clear business case. Leonhardt & Blumberg’s choice reflects their focus on proven technology and tangible results at sea. The systems will make a visible and immediate contribution to efficiency.’
The installation of VentoFoils forms part of a broader programme to explore complementary technologies that deliver measurable impact, both operationally and environmentally.
Also read: Econowind supplies VentoFoils for Amadeus Titanium
VentoFoils
VentoFoils are compact, autonomous wing systems that can be tilted in seconds. The units use boundary layer suction, creating additional thrust and optimising aerodynamic efficiency. Different vessel types, ranging from general cargo and tankers to heavy-lift and multi-purpose ships, now deploy the technology.
Picture: Leonhardt & Blumberg’s Hansa Drejoe was fitted with Econowind’s VentoFoils (photo by Econowind).
Also read: Japanese Nissen Kaiun buys into Econowind
