Japanese shipping company, Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (K LINE) has announced the completion of phase one development of the Seawing automated kite system, which harnesses natural wind power for ship propulsion.
The Seawing system was developed by K LINE’s subsidiary OCEANICWING, based in France.
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The initial tests, conducted on the system in June with a 300m2 kite, have yielded positive results and confirmed the system’s tensile strength and performance.
OCEANICWING commenced phase two development in July 2025, aiming to upscale the kite and further verify its attributes, aiming for a shipboard application of the system.
The two-year testing period is expected to lead to the practical use of the Seawing system, which could significantly reduce fuel consumption and carbon emissions for various vessel types.
The Seawing system, which can be installed on any vessel, including existing ships, is projected to cut fuel consumption by more than 10%, depending on ship type, speed, route, and season.
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By GlobalDataThe system aligns with the industry’s shift towards cleaner fuels such as LNG, enhancing efforts to lower carbon emissions.
K LINE president and CEO Takenori Igarashi said: “Phase one of Seawing development process being implemented by OCEANICWING has been successfully completed.
“We will continue to develop the system so that it can be used on ships. We plan to develop this innovative energy saving device harnessing natural wind power into a great solution for achieving the decarbonisation of the shipping industry.”
The Seawing system stands apart from current wind-assisted propulsion systems (WAPS) due to its capability to produce significant thrust by harnessing high-altitude winds, according to the company.
OCEANICWING plans to carry out offshore demonstration trials of the system on a large bulk carrier that is owned and operated by K LINE, during phase two development.
In November last year, K LINE’s subsidiary, Daito Corporation, announced its plans to build an electric tugboat powered by a large-capacity lithium-ion battery aimed at enhancing environmental sustainability in maritime operations.
