Shipping moves around 90% of global trade, yet it remains one of the hardest sectors to decarbonise. Why? Because the scale is vast, the margins are tight, and the solutions must work in some of the world’s harshest environments.
In the most recent episode of the Climate Confident podcast, Norsepower CEO Heikki Pöntynen joined host Tom Raftery to explore a cutting-edge solution based on 100 years of science, which remains radically effective – Norsepower Rotor Sail™.
During the interview Heikki discussed how Norsepower has revived and re-engineered the Flettner rotor – a concept first tested in the 1920s – to meet the needs of modern shipping. Using the Magnus effect, rotor sails harness side winds to generate forward thrust, allowing vessels to reduce engine load and cut fuel consumption. The results of our modern innovation have been significant, deliver real-world fuel savings of 5–25%, with some transatlantic routes targeting a staggering 50% reduction.
Heikki also covered a range of other key issues and challenges facing the global shipping industry including: how AI-driven automation ensures crews get maximum performance with minimal effort, why retrofits dominate current adoption, the growing trend of building “rotor sail ready” vessels, and how stricter international regulatory frameworks are shortening payback times, ensuring wind propulsions are the future of the sector’s decarbonisation plans.
Listen to the full episode of Climate Confident at the link below to hear more about Norsepower’s journey to becoming industry leaders, the science behind rotor sails and what it takes to make shipping truly sustainable.
As Heikki said during the episode: “this isn’t about prototypes or pilot projects – it’s proven, scalable, and available now.”