German shipowner Leonhardt & Blumberg has turned to wind propulsion for its latest vessels, installing Econowind’s VentoFoils on the first of four newbuilds.
The system has been fitted to HANSA DREJOE at Royal Niestern Sander Shipyard in the Netherlands, with sister vessel HANSA CHRISTIANSOE now at the yard for installation.
Econowind expects the VentoFoils to provide around 10% additional thrust, with fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions reduced accordingly. The estimate is based on 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,” said Christoph Meier, Naval Architect at Leonhardt & Blumberg.
“Econowind’s practical and well-developed technology allows us to do both, while gaining real operational experience along the way,” he added.
The four GROOT XL-type general cargo vessels were designed by Groot Ship Design with wind propulsion in mind, allowing the systems to be integrated without major modifications.
Two vessels were delivered in the first half of 2025, while the remaining two are being built in China. They are expected to reach Europe in the first half of 2027 for final outfitting and commissioning.
“Our goal with VentoFoils is simple: to deliver measurable fuel savings with a clear business case,” said Stijn Engelage, Sales Manager at Econowind.
The compact wing systems can be tilted within seconds and use boundary layer suction to generate additional thrust and improve aerodynamic efficiency.
For Leonhardt & Blumberg, the installations will provide real-world operating experience with wind propulsion while adding another tool to its fleet efficiency strategy.
