Japanese shipping company Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (K Line) has announced successful land tests of its “Seawing” automated kite system, designed to harness wind power and reduce fuel consumption. The positive results pave the way for upcoming offshore demonstration trials.
The system is being developed by Oceanicwing, a K Line subsidiary in France. In February 2024, K Line acquired French wind propulsion specialist Airseas, the original developer of Seawing.
In the first development phase, Oceanicwing tested a 300-square-meter kite at a land site in June 2025, verifying its tensile strength and overall performance. Following these results, phase two began in July 2025, aiming to increase kite size and evaluate reliability, operability, safety, and tensile strength in preparation for shipboard use.
Offshore demonstration experiments are planned on a large K Line bulk carrier, with the goal of completing testing within two years. The company expects Seawing to cut fuel consumption by over 10%, depending on ship type, speed, route, and season. The system can be installed on any vessel, including existing ships, using natural wind power to enhance efficiency.
Photo: K Line
