Topic, TSUNEISHI Shipbuilding, and OceanWings have successfully completed the rigid tiltable wingsail retrofit aboard the Ultramax bulk carrier Maria Topic in Japan. Supported by the EU’s WHISPER project, this landmark installation demonstrates the commercial scalability of Wind-Assisted Ship Propulsion (WASP) for existing merchant fleets. The vessel has officially returned to commercial service, with initial performance insights slated for release at SMM Hamburg in September 2026.
Paris, France | August 25, 2026 – In a major development for maritime decarbonization and wind-assisted ship propulsion (WASP), Topic, TSUNEISHI Shipbuilding, and OceanWings have officially announced the successful completion and commercial redelivery of the Ultramax bulk carrier Maria Topic.
Retrofitted at TSUNEISHI Shipbuilding’s facilities in Japan, the vessel has re-entered commercial service equipped with OceanWings’ advanced rigid tiltable wingsail technology. The project underscores the viability of scaling retrofit solutions to curb fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions within the existing global merchant fleet.
Project Scope & Industry Significance
The successful integration of the rigid wingsail onto an operating merchant bulk carrier highlights the robust production, delivery, and installation capabilities of the collaborative partners. By tackling the dry bulk market, a segment vital to global trade, the initiative signals a tangible step forward for commercial-scale wind propulsion adoption.
The initiative was supported by the European WHISPER (Wind Energy Harvesting for Ship Propulsion Assistance and Power) project, backed by the European Union’s Horizon Europe program. WHISPER unites 13 partners across six European nations to validate modular retrofit solutions combining wind propulsion and renewable onboard energy systems.
Executive Perspectives
Key leaders from all three partnering organizations emphasized the strategic importance of the milestone.
Alex Albertini, CEO of Topic, stated “Maria Topic follows Paolo Topic in our journey towards more sustainable shipping. By adding wind-assisted propulsion to an existing bulk carrier, we are continuing to invest in practical technologies that reduce fuel consumption and emissions across our fleet. OceanWings and TSUNEISHI Shipbuilding demonstrated a strong understanding of our operational requirements, allowing the retrofit to be completed within the dry dock period.”
NAKAI Toshifumi, Managing Executive Officer and Chief Ship Repair Officer at TSUNEISHI Shipbuilding, stated”We are proud to have completed this landmark retrofit alongside OceanWings and Topic. The project demonstrates that wind-assisted propulsion can be efficiently integrated into an existing vessel using TSUNEISHI Shipbuilding’s ship repair and retrofit expertise, helping accelerate the transition towards more energy-efficient shipping. We are committed to contributing to the industry’s decarbonization by leveraging our ship repair and retrofit expertise to bring innovative technologies into practical service.”
Emmanuel Schalit, CEO of OceanWings, stated “Maria Topic is the latest proof that our technology is delivering where it matters most: in commercial operation. We designed OceanWings to be simple, robust and adapted to the realities of bulk shipping. This project marks an important industrial milestone for OceanWings, demonstrating our ability to manufacture, deliver and deploy our technology at commercial scale.”
Outlook and Upcoming Briefings
Industry stakeholders won’t have to wait long for initial operational data. Topic and OceanWings have announced plans to share their first operational insights regarding the vessel’s behavior in commercial service during SMM Hamburg in September 2026.
Quick Facts: Maria Topic Retrofit
| Category | Details |
| Vessel Type | Ultramax Bulk Carrier |
| Vessel Name | Maria Topic |
| Technology | OceanWings Rigid Tiltable Wingsail |
| Shipyard | TSUNEISHI Shipbuilding (Japan) |
| Key Stakeholders | Topic, TSUNEISHI Shipbuilding, OceanWings |
| Funding Support | EU Horizon Europe WHISPER Project |
| Upcoming Disclosure | SMM Hamburg (September 2026) |
OceanWings in Brief
OceanWings is a French maritime technology pioneer specializing in automated, reefable, and retractable wingsails. While wind propulsion is an ancient concept, OceanWings has modernized it into a high-tech “propulsion-as-a-service” solution that treats wind as a predictable, high-performance fuel source.
Elite Heritage: From America’s Cup to Commercial Cargo
The technology behind OceanWings wasn’t born in a lab; it was born on the racetrack. The concept was developed by VPLP Design, the world-renowned naval architects responsible for the wingsail that propelled BMW Oracle Racing to victory in the 2010 America’s Cup.
Unlike “soft” sails, these are rigid, two-element foils, similar to an airplane wing, that generate significantly more lift and thrust. OceanWings successfully industrialised this high-speed racing tech into a robust, “marinized” version capable of surviving decades in the harsh conditions of the open ocean.
The “Smart” Sail: Automation & AI
For modern bunkering and shipping operations, “simplicity” is key. OceanWings are 100% automated, meaning they require no specialized crew.
- Adaptive Trimming: The system uses AI and machine learning to sense the wind and adjust the wings’ angle of attack and camber (curve) in real-time.
- Reefable and Retractable: In extreme weather or for port clearance (Air Draft), the wingsails can be lowered or folded, ensuring they never interfere with cargo operations or safety.
Proven Performance & Fuel Savings
OceanWings is one of the few WAPS (Wind-Assisted Propulsion Systems) providers with multi-year, large-scale operational data.
- The Canopée Success: The 121-meter Ro-Ro vessel Canopée (which transports Ariane 6 rocket components) is equipped with four OceanWings. Over two years of operation, it has maintained 99.6% system availability.
- Bunker Savings: Data from the Canopée shows average fuel savings of 1.3 tonnes per day, per wingsail. On optimized routes, savings can reach up to 2.2 tonnes per day, per sail, representing a double-digit reduction in the vessel’s total fuel spend.
- Range: Depending on the route and vessel type (Tanker, Bulker, or Gas Carrier), OceanWings can reduce CO2 emissions and fuel costs by 15% to 50%.
Source: OceanWings