Capital Ship Management, K Shipbuilding, and Lloyd’s Register have launched a Joint Development Project to design a scalable, wind-assisted 50,000 dwt MR product tanker for mainstream commercial trades. The collaboration aims to bridge technical and operational gaps, turning wind propulsion into a commercially viable, low-emission solution for the product tanker market.
Piraeus, Greece | July 21, 2026 – In a major push to accelerate maritime decarbonization across standard commercial trades, Capital Ship Management Corp., South Korean shipbuilder K Shipbuilding, and classification society Lloyd’s Register (LR) have joined forces in a Joint Development Project (JDP) to design a next-generation, wind-assisted 50,000 dwt Medium Range (MR) product tanker.
While Wind-Assisted Propulsion Systems (WAPS) have steadily gained traction in dry bulk and specialized vessel segments, their application in mainstream liquid bulk trades, particularly the high-turnaround MR tanker sector, has remained largely unexplored. This tripartite collaboration aims to bridge that operational gap by developing a commercially viable, wind-assisted design that delivers measurable fuel savings and emissions reductions without compromising cargo capacity, safety, or trade flexibility.
Strategic Objectives & Technical Scope
The JDP establishes a structured technical framework focused on taking wind-assisted tanker technology from conceptual readiness to commercial reality. The scope encompasses comprehensive engineering, operational, and compliance assessments aimed at securing eventual Approval in Principle (AiP) for commercial production.
Core Focus Areas of the JDP
- Cargo & Operational Flexibility: Ensuring that wind propulsion installations do not interfere with cargo handling equipment, manifold accessibility, or port/terminal line-of-sight constraints.
- Aerodynamic & Hydrodynamic Optimization: Balancing sail-induced lateral forces and leeway with hull form resistance to maximize propulsive thrust under real-world operating conditions.
- Safety & Regulatory Assurance: Navigating class rules, international safety codes, hazardous zone requirements, and International Maritime Organization (IMO) compliance standards for tankers.
- Commercial Viability: Verifying real-world fuel consumption savings, payback timelines, and Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) performance gains under standard chartering conditions.
Key Partner Roles
| Partner | Role & Contribution | Key Objective |
| Capital Ship Management | Vessel operator & fleet insight | Provide real-world operational guidance, chartering requirements, and practical fleet data. |
| K Shipbuilding | Naval architecture & shipyard construction | Optimize hull design, structural integration, and scalable build processes for MR newbuildings. |
| Lloyd’s Register (LR) | Technical assurance & classification | Evaluate safety, structural integrity, and regulatory compliance leading toward Approval in Principle (AiP). |
Moving From “Ready” to “Proven”
For Capital Ship Management, part of Greek shipping tycoon Evangelos Marinakis’ Capital Group, the JDP represents a logical progression in its long-term decarbonization strategy. In 2023, Capital took delivery of six eco-designed 50,000 dwt MR chemical/product tankers, each built with class notations for Wind-Assisted Ready.
“When we took delivery of our six MR newbuildings in 2023, each one carried Wind-Assisted Ready notation, a deliberate design choice that reflected our conviction that wind propulsion would become commercially relevant for this segment,” said Nikolas Vaporis, Chief Technical Officer of Capital Ship Management Corp. “This project is the natural next step on a path we set out on from the start. Our priority now is to move from ‘ready’ to ‘proven’: a design that delivers real efficiency and emissions benefits while preserving the operational and cargo flexibility our charterers depend on.”
The collaboration underlines a broader industry movement toward harnessing wind as a direct, zero-emission propulsive force to offset rising bunker costs and satisfy tightening environmental regulations.
Theo Kourmpelis, Global Business Director for Tankers at Lloyd’s Register, emphasized the importance of testing WAPS in mainstream commercial trades:
“Wind-assisted propulsion has already demonstrated its potential to improve vessel efficiency, but wider adoption will depend on proving that the technology can deliver commercial value in mainstream shipping sectors. The MR tanker market is an important test case. Shipowners are increasingly seeking solutions that can deliver measurable efficiency improvements while supporting regulatory compliance. By combining practical operational insight with advanced ship design expertise, this project will help evaluate how wind-assisted propulsion can be effectively incorporated into future tanker designs.”
Tae-Hyun Koh, Chief Technology Officer at K Shipbuilding, highlighted the shipyard’s focus on next-generation eco-friendly tonnage:
“As the maritime industry accelerates its efforts towards decarbonisation and sustainable growth, this collaboration will enable K Shipbuilding to further enhance its capabilities in developing next-generation eco-friendly vessel solutions and strengthen our position in the global MR tanker market.”
Market Outlook & Impact
As the industry faces compliance pressures from the IMO’s Revised GHG Strategy and regional mechanisms like the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) and FuelEU Maritime, wind-assisted propulsion provides an immediate way to reduce fuel consumption. For MR product tankers, workhorses of global refined product trades, integrating WAPS could directly reduce daily fuel burn and carbon intensity without waiting for alternative fuel supply chains (such as green methanol or ammonia) to reach full global availability and price parity. The outcome of this JDP could set a new benchmark for standard MR tanker designs across global shipyards.
About Capital Ship Management Corp.
Capital Ship Management Corp. is an ocean-going vessel operator providing comprehensive, full-service ship management across a diverse global fleet, including all tanker segments (VLCC, Suezmax, Aframax/LR2, Panamax/LR1, MR/Handy), dry bulk carriers, OBOs, and containers. Recognized by major oil traders and international charterers for operational excellence, Capital is among an elite group of managers to pass the rigorous assessment processes of top oil majors. Centered on stringent Health, Safety, Security, and Environmental (HSSE) standards, the company operates under the IMO’s ISM code and holds Lloyd’s Register certifications for ISO 9001 (Quality Assurance), ISO 14001 (Environmental Management), ISO 45001 (Occupational Health & Safety), and ISO 50001 (Energy Management).
Source: Capital Ship Management