Winds4Change Showcases Wind Innovation at Wereldhavendagen Rotterdam together with Dutch pioneers Econowind. 

@World port days Rotterdam

Winds4Change Showcases Wind Innovation at Wereldhavendagen Rotterdam together with Dutch pioneers Econowind. 

Winds4Change proudly took part in Wereldhavendagen in Rotterdam, joining the Innovation Square to demonstrate how cutting-edge technologies can reduce the environmental footprint of global shipping.

Together with Dutch wind propulsion pioneer Econowind, the Winds4Change team showcased the remarkable progress made in recent years in modern wind-assisted propulsion. Their joint display highlighted how traditional sailing principles are being reimagined through advanced engineering — turning the power of the wind into a practical, zero-emission solution for today’s maritime industry.

The weekend proved a great success, drawing a steady stream of curious visitors eager to understand how wind can once again drive the ships of the future. Many locals were particularly intrigued because they had spotted the Sea Connector, a vessel equipped with rotor sails from Norsepower, which regularly calls at the Port of Rotterdam.

At first, visitors were puzzled by the unusual spinning cylinders, often asking, “Do they turn in the wind to power a propeller?” The team explained that rotor sails operate on the Magnus effect — the same principle that gives a spinning tennis ball its curve. As the rotors spin, they create zones of high and low air pressure, generating a forward thrust that helps propel the ship efficiently through the water.

The event was an inspiring opportunity to connect technology, education, and curiosity, demonstrating that the future of sustainable shipping can be powered — quite literally — by the wind.