Shipowners weighing wind propulsion have long faced uncertainty around safety approval and regulatory treatment. The IMO’s decision to bring wind systems into its draft safety framework is now reshaping how owners and managers assess viable decarbonisation options.
Progress at the International Maritime Organization is beginning to change the conversation around wind propulsion for commercial shipping. Following the 12th session of the Sub Committee on Ship Design and Construction, the IMO has agreed to incorporate wind propulsion into its draft safety framework for greenhouse gas reducing technologies, with interim guidelines targeted for 2029.
For shipowners and technical managers, the decision offers clearer regulatory direction at a time when pressure to cut emissions is intensifying. Wind propulsion has already demonstrated fuel and emissions savings in commercial service, yet adoption has been slowed by the absence of formal safety guidance recognised across flag states, class and insurance markets.
BAR Technologies, developer of the WindWings system, said the IMO’s direction provides confidence for owners considering investment. John Cooper, CEO of BAR Technologies, said, “WindWings are already proving their value in commercial operation, and this move gives the industry the clarity it needs to scale adoption at pace.”
The inclusion of wind propulsion within the IMO framework signals that such systems are being treated as mainstream technologies rather than experimental additions. For fleet managers, this reduces risk around approvals, compliance planning and long term asset value as the industry works toward the IMO’s 2050 net zero ambition.
Lauren Eatwell, Head of WindWings at BAR Technologies, said safety and scale remain closely linked for owners. “Safety and scalability go hand in hand. The IMO’s commitment is not just about regulation, it’s about enabling real change. We’re proud to be leading the charge with proven solutions like WindWings.”
The IMO work programme is expected to address design, installation and operational safety considerations that have previously created uncertainty for wind assisted propulsion. This aligns with wider industry efforts, including advocacy from the International Windship Association, to ensure wind is fairly recognised within efficiency metrics and greenhouse gas accounting.
For shipowners and managers planning fleet renewal or retrofits, the IMO’s progress marks a shift toward clearer rules of the road for wind propulsion, bringing regulatory confidence closer to the pace of commercial reality.
