OceanWings Equips Bulk Carrier MARIA TOPIC with Rigid Wingsails

Shipowner Topic, TSUNEISHI SHIPBUILDING, and OceanWings have announced the successful installation of rigid wingsails aboard the Ultramax bulk carrier MARIA TOPIC. Retrofitted in Japan, the vessel has returned to commercial service equipped with this cutting-edge wind propulsion technology.

Wind Propulsion Applied to Operating Vessels

This project demonstrates that rigid wingsail technology can be successfully integrated into an operating merchant vessel, highlighting the key role retrofit solutions play in reducing fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions across operating vessels.

A Major Project Supported by the European Union

The retrofit of MARIA TOPIC reflects the shared commitment of Topic, TSUNEISHI SHIPBUILDING, and OceanWings to accelerate the decarbonization of commercial shipping.

The operation was carried out with the support of the European WHISPER (Wind Energy Harvesting for Ship Propulsion Assistance and Power) project, funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe programme. This project brings together 13 partners from six European countries to develop and validate modular retrofit solutions combining wind-assisted propulsion and renewable onboard energy systems.

First Operational Insights at SMM Hamburg

OceanWings and Topic will share its first operational insights during SMM Hamburg in September 2026, providing an initial look at the vessel’s behavior in commercial service.