Wind-Assisted Shipping & Climate Innovation –
Join our final student project presentations:
30 January 2026 @ University of Amsterdam
How can data help accelerate the transition to a more sustainable shipping industry? On 30 January 2026, two student teams from the BSc Computational Social Science program at the University of Amsterdam will showcase how computational science can drive real-world climate solutions.
The climate crisis is the defining challenge of our time — and while we know action is urgent, the best path forward remains uncertain. This event invites you to explore bold, data-driven approaches that tackle this uncertainty head-on and push system transitions where they matter most. This inspiring afternoon will feature two ambitious student projects focused on wind-assisted shipping — one of the most promising innovations for decarbonizing maritime transport.
Whether you are a sustainability professional, industry partner, researcher, policymaker, or simply passionate about climate innovation, this event offers fresh perspectives, concrete insights, and opportunities to connect.
After the presentations, partners are invited to stay for optional one-on-one project handovers with the student teams — a chance to dive deeper into the findings, ask questions, and explore real-world applications together. Presentations follow the Pecha Kucha format: 20 slides, 20 seconds each — fast-paced, focused, and impactful.
1. Discovering the Global Potential of Wind-Assisted Shipping
The first team mapped the rapidly evolving landscape of wind-assisted vessels using large-scale maritime data. By identifying first movers — both retrofitted and newbuild ships — and comparing their performance with conventional vessels worldwide, they reveal what is already happening today and what could be achieved as this technology scales across the industry.
Data sources: Vessel List – IWSA | Vessel Tracker – IWSA (wind-assisted ships) | Ship & Container Tracking – VesselFinder
2. Turning Ship Performance Data into Action with Econowind
The second team partnered with Econowind, a leading Dutch provider of wind propulsion systems, to unlock the full value of real-world ship data. By transforming continuous operational data into automated voyage reports and performance insights, they help shipowners make smarter decisions — from optimizing sail usage to improving routing under changing conditions. Their work also feeds directly into system improvements, enabling smarter, more adaptive wind technologies.
Agenda
The official event will take place from 14:00–17:00.
14:00–16:00 – Pecha Kucha presentations
16:00–17:00 – Drinks in the common room