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DFDS tests aluminium sail concept

Econowind and Green Shipping project installed on Lysbris Seaways.

Updated: 26 February 2026 | Published: 15 November 2019

Copenhagen

2 min read

Econowind sail concept test on Lysbris Seaways

A metal sail in a box could be a solution to save fuel and emissions in shipping by utilising the power of the wind that nearly all ships once relied on.

A prototype from Dutch company Econowind was installed on the deck of Lysbris Seaways on Wednesday 13 November in Amsterdam. It's a foldable aluminium twin-sail concept that sits on the deck of a vessel. It comes in a 40-foot container and is a far cry from historic sail designs, as two metallic 10-metre foils, or wings, fold out with the press of a button. The design and software let the wings move to optimally catch the wind and help propel the vessel forward, much more efficiently than equipment.

Poul Woodall, Director of Environment, and Vidar Karlsen, Managing Director in Norway, signed the agreement in September for the collaboration with Econowind and Green Shipping Programme (Grønt Skipsfartsprogram or GSP), a Norwegian programme for research into, and development of, green shipping solutions. GSP delivers a theoretical modelling of historic weather data, consumption, routes and more that we use for testing.

The perfect testing ground

Vidar says: “Lysbris Seaways is perfect for testing such a concept. In theory it looks like a good idea, but we need to see if the estimated fuel savings are realistic for this type of vessel. We are going to measure fuel consumption with the sail and get a picture of the efficiency gained over time compared to the regular numbers.”

“The finalised design works automatically, meaning you can open the container from the bridge and open the sail, but for the prototype it’s a bit more hands-on with manual controls and a service engineer present to operate the system. After a successful installation we are now looking forward to seeing the outcome of the two months of testing,” Vidar adds.

Sofie Hebeltoft, Head of CSR, says: “With projects like this we take responsibility for developing new energy sources and methods of propulsion that can take us towards cleaner ships and eventually zero emission shipping. We are therefore extremely grateful for initiatives such as this taken by Vidar and his team.”

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8 February 2018

TRADING BETWEEN UK AND MAINLAND EUROPE CONTINUES TO GROW DESPITE BREXIT

DFDS has just reported another record result for 2017. The operating profit of DKK 2.7 billion was based, among other things, on the continuing positive development in volumes on the company’s ten freight routes across the North Sea.

Cartoon of a robot as the captain of a DFDS ship

Copenhagen

29 December 2017

TRENDS WE FOLLOW IN DFDS

The world is changing at an accelerating pace and it's more important than ever to understand the dynamics of that change. New technology that enables new behaviour or fundamental changes to existing markets is often the driver of that change.

DFDS vessel Kaunas Seaways at sea

Copenhagen

1 November 2017

MIGRANTS ON KAUNAS SEAWAYS FLOWN TO ALGERIA

Yesterday (31 October) the last six of 12 migrants, who for three months had been on board DFDS' Lithuanian vessel Kaunas Seaways in the Black Sea, were taken off the ship in order to be flown back to their home countries via the airport in Odessa and Turkey. Six of the migrants were sent home to Algeria on 29 October, while six are underway today.

Captain, first mate, and mother with baby born on board DFDS vessel

Copenhagen

16 October 2017

BABY BORN ON BOARD CÔTE D’ALBATRE

The new citizen of the world, Mustafa, was brought into the world on board Côte D’Albatre, when his mother went into labour before arrival in Dieppe.

New DFDS vessel Tulipa Seaways being launched

Copenhagen

9 June 2017

NEW RO-RO VESSEL FOR DFDS NAMED TODAY

Tulipa Seaways is the second large ro-ro freight vessel from the Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesellschaft destined to enter the DFDS fleet. The ship will be delivered during the autumn and will enter service between Rotterdam and Immingham.

Medal ceremony for the crew of the DFDS vessel Ark Futura

Copenhagen

8 May 2017

MEDALS FOR THE ARK FUTURA CREW

In 2016 Ark Futura transported chemicals out of Libya for destruction in Germany.

DFDS vessel passing through a drawbridge over the Ghent Canal

Copenhagen

2 March 2016

DFDS SHIPS RECORD VOLUME OF FREIGHT TO THE UK

The strong increase in freight volumes and passenger numbers between the Continet and the UK is part of the DFDS' record results

DFDS logo

Copenhagen

7 August 2015

INVESTMENT PLAN OF EUR 6 MILLION FOR ROSYTH-ZEEBRUGGE ROUTE

DFDS and Forth Ports will invest in the future of the Rosyth-Zeebrugge freight route

DFDS logo

Copenhagen

9 November 2014

INCIDENT ON BOARD THE DOVER SEAWAY FERRY

DOVER SEAWAYS contacted the harbour wall when leaving Dover, passengers have been accommodated on the other DFDS ferries

DFDS logo

Copenhagen

4 November 2014

ROSYTH-ZEEBRUGGE ROUTE SECURED FOR THE FUTURE

DFDS Seaways, the Scottish Government and Forth Ports signed a Memorandum of Understanding in which they agree to continue the Rosyth-Zeebrugge freight shipping service under the management of DFDS Seaways

DFDS logo

Copenhagen

15 September 2014

CLOSURE OF LOSS-MAKING ROUTE

DFDS plans to close the Le Havre-Portsmouth route at the end of 2014 due to continued losses

DFDS logo

Copenhagen

4 December 2013

FIRE ONBOARD RO-RO SHIP BETWEEN JUTLAND AND COPENHAGEN EXTINGUISHED

Fire breaks on CORORNA SEAWAYS on 4 December, 2013 en route from Fredericia - Copenhagen

DFDS logo

Copenhagen

23 April 2013

FIRE AT CARGO AND PASSENGER SHIP BETWEEN GERMANY AND LITHUANIA EXTINGUISHED

Fire broke on the main deck of VICTORIA SEAWAYS en route from Kiel to Klaipeda, the situation was under control and no injuries reported

DFDS logo

Copenhagen

3 January 2013

NEGOTIATIONS ON NEWBUILDING CONTRACTS ONGOING

Negotiations between DFDS and the German shipyard P+S about the two ro-ro vessels are still in the process

DFDS logo

Copenhagen

29 September 2012

MORE FREIGHT VOLUMES BETWEEN UK AND CONTINENT

DFDS signs an agreement with two leading logistics providers with effect from September 2012

DFDS logo

Copenhagen

13 September 2012

NEWBUILDING CONTRACTS CANCELLED

DFDS cancels their contracts for two ro-ro ships with the German shipyard P+S Werften GmbH

DFDS logo

Copenhagen

29 August 2012

SHIPYARD FILED FOR INSOLVENCY

DFDS orders two ro-ro newbuildings at the German shipyard P+S Werften GmbH

DFDS logo

Copenhagen

6 July 2012

DFDS SIGNS NEW AGREEMENT WITH VOLVO

DFDS and Volvo signs a new agreement for the transport of cargo on three DFDS routes

DFDS logo

Copenhagen

13 January 2011

CLOSURE OF ROUTES ON IRISH SEA

DFDS closes down the operation of the routes between Dublin and Birkenhead and Heysham, England, at the end of January 2011

For media inquiries, interviews, or press materials, reach out to DFDS using the contact details below.

+45 31 16 28 47

grcom@dfds.com