WS21: Setting Sail: The Potential of EU Wind Propulsion

This interactive workshop, organised by Seas At Risk, will explore how the European shipping industry can scale up wind propulsion to decarbonise, and reduce pressure on zero-emission fuels while operating within planetary boundaries.

The event will both highlight wind opportunities and address related challenges.

Through interactive exercises participants will engage in discussions on innovative propulsion technologies and the development of relevant policies, and collaborate to envision how we can build a competitive European wind industry that drives the transition to a sustainable maritime future.

The workshop will open with remarks by MEP Christophe Clergeau (S&D), followed by short expert presentations. Kåre Press-Kristensen (Green Global Future) will discuss the role of wind propulsion in the maritime energy mix, James Mason (Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research) will explore how wind propulsion can be scaled across the global fleet, and Bavo Smets (Seas At Risk) will present policy recommendations to accelerate uptake at EU level.

The workshop will then move into interactive breakout sessions examining the technical, data, and policy barriers and opportunities for wind propulsion, before reconvening in a plenary session to share key insights. The event will conclude with closing remarks by MEP Christophe Clergeau.

Moderation will be provided by Louisa Gray (Seas At Risk).