Damen Shiprepair performs first installation of Wing 560 wind assist solution
- Date
- June 2026
- Ship name
- Tirranna
- Ship type
- Seagoing Transport
- Yard
- Damen Shiprepair Harbour & Voyage
- Tasks performed for this project
- Conversion Harbour and Voyage Repair
Damen Shiprepair’s Harbour & Voyage service (DSHV) has successfully completed the installation of a Wing 560 rigid wingsail on Wallenius Wilhelmsen’s RoRo vessel, MV Tirranna. The wind-assisted ship propulsion (WASP) solution from Sweden-based Oceanbird is specifically designed for pure car and truck carriers (PCTCs). The MV Tirranna is the first vessel to be outfitted with the wingsail, which is expected to reduce fuel consumption significantly.
DSHV undertakes work to vessels at locations all over the world, including afloat, at anchor, quayside and even underway. For this project, based on the client’s itinerary, it was decided to undertake the work at Damen Shiprepair Rotterdam’s Botlek location.
Preparation and planning
Prior to the vessel’s arrival, DSHV held a number of preparatory meetings with Oceanbird and Wallenius Wilhelmsen, while also undertaking a joint risk assessment. Before lifting the wing itself, upon the arrival of Tirranna, DSHV performed a pre-survey and a total station alignment measurement to ensure the support structure was positioned correctly.
On 17 June 2026, the Wing 560 arrived in Rotterdam, having been transported from Sweden by a heavy-lift vessel. This was offloaded using two 450-ton cranes from Sarens.
MV Tirranna arrived on 21 June. With the vessel in position, the 40 × 14-metre, 98.5-ton Wing 560 was raised into place using two 750-ton cranes, also provided by Sarens. Including its foundation, the wingsail stands 46 metres tall.
Efficient execution
Thanks to favourable weather conditions, DSHV oversaw the installation of the wingsail in just three days. Installed horizontally, the Wing 560 is raised to a vertical position when in operation. This tiltable functionality enables the vessel to pass under low bridges and port infrastructure.
The Wing 560 has been developed over a period of three years by Oceanbird, a joint venture between Wallenius and Alfa Laval. It was officially launched in August 2025 when a prototype version was raised on land in Landskrona, Sweden. This provided an opportunity for product optimisation and crew training prior to its installation on a live vessel.
With the Wing 560 in place, MV Tirranna departed Rotterdam on 24 June. On board were members of the DSHV team, who sailed along with the vessel to Bremerhaven, Germany in order to complete their scope with some minor steel works.
Preferred WASP partner
Damen Shiprepair, has an enviable track record in the installation of WASP solutions to active vessels. As it continues to support Damen in achieving its goal of becoming the most sustainable and connected maritime solutions provider, Damen Shiprepair aim to position itself as the preferred partner for this type of project.
Nikhil Mathews Raj, Project/Cost Estimator at DSHV said, “This first installation of an Oceanbird Wing 560 is a milestone project and a great example of what can be achieved through cooperation. Its successful execution is the result of close collaboration with the client, before and during the project, as well as Oceanbird, whose project team supported us throughout. I’d also like to thank our project partners, including Sarens, who helped us to ensure a safe, efficient undertaking.”