With the successful demonstration of the first wing sail from Oceanbird, Wing 560, we enter a new phase where rigid wing sails will be a common sight on the oceans. “This is truly a milestone. Together, we are advancing towards fossil free shipping” said Andreas Carlson, Sweden´s Minister of Infrastructure and Housing at the inauguration.

The 40-metre-high wing rose into the sky, shielding the late August sun as it unfolded its two segments and showed off a full rotation. Aside from being a new landmark in Landskrona, Southern Sweden, it will be an important site for crew training, customers visits and optimisation of the automation system. On the 25th of August 2025, Wing 560 was officially launched.

NEED PIONEERS
“We need pioneers who are willing to take risks, to innovate and to lead the way into the green industrial transformation and this is a great example of leadership. Oceanbird stands as proof of this success” said Andreas Carlson, Sweden´s Minister of Infrastructure and Housing at the inauguration.

The Oceanbird company was formed 3,5 years ago as a joint venture between Alfa Laval and Wallenius Lines. Since then, the team has developed a rigid, 40-metre high and 14-metre-wide wing sail. The core is made of high strength steel, and the aerodynamic surface is a sandwich construction of glass fiber composites and 370,000 recycled plastic bottles.

wind can once again play a significant role “We had a clear mission: to prove that wind can once again play a significant role in powering ships. After roughly three years of hard work and long days, we are standing here with the first prototype of the Wing 560 sail, ready to show it to you — to the world — and to take orders” said Magnus MackAldener, interim CEO & Head of R&D at Oceanbird.

The first wing sail will be permanently placed at the shipyard Oresund DryDocks in Landskrona, where also an identical, second wing sail is being assembled during the autumn. That will be installed on Wallenius Wilhelmsen´s vessel Tirranna in the beginning of 2026.

ABOUT OCEANBIRD

• Oceanbird is a joint venture created in December 2021 by Alfa Laval and Wallenius Lines with the purpose of developing wind propulsion to the shipping industry.
• Using air pressure to push the vessel forward, one wing sail on an existing vessel, can save up 10% of fuel and emissions on optimal routes.