Southern Spars, leading innovator of sailing systems for large, high-performance yachts, has secured a groundbreaking contract with Greenpeace International through their North Windships initiative. The supply agreement with the leading NGO includes the design, delivery and maintenance of a DynaRig system for Greenpeace’s most sustainable sailing vessel to date, designed by Dykstra Naval Architects.

Renowned for their relentless efforts in environmental protection, Greenpeace will use the radical new ship to protect marine biodiversity, combat climate change, and pioneer shipping technology through the application of the most cutting edge sailing solutions.

Two DynaRig masts will be installed on the 75 metre vessel. They will feature a substantial sail area of 2000 square metres, supplied by North Sails. For auxiliary power, alternative fuel systems such as hydrogen, battery packs and solar panels for energy storage for onboard power generation will be fitted.

The DynaRig incorporates a free-standing, rotating mast, equipped with a fully automated sail handling system. This technology signifies a major step change in ease of deployment and simplicity of use. From a single control panel, the ship can be sailed by one crew member, allowing safe, high average speeds in ocean conditions, making the system particularly well-suited to commercial vessels.

Due to be commissioned in 2027, collaboration will be at the heart of this project. The DynaRig team will work closely alongside Greenpeace, Dykstra Naval Architects and Freire Shipyard to deliver this truly innovative project.

Wind propulsion technologies, such as the DynaRig, will play a key role in decarbonising the commercial maritime sector and help it reach its goal to reduce carbon emissions from sea shipping by at least 40% by 2040, as directed by the International Maritime Organisation.

Quotes:

“The DynaRig concept has already proven itself on iconic sailing vessels, such as Maltese Falcon and Black Pearl, both designed by Dykstra Naval Architects. We are thrilled to apply the same technology to Greenpeace’s landmark project and demonstrate that high speed shipping through sustainable sources is a reality,” comments Andy Shaw, General Manager at DynaRig. “We are in no doubt that DynaRig is set to transform the future of commercial shipping.”

“We will use this revolutionary new ship to chase and confront looters and polluters on the high seas,” Greenpeace Deputy International Programme Director Fabien Rondal said in a statement. “We know that what we do in the next decade will shape the rest of the century… That’s why we are building this new ship – it will be a call to go further, and to do more, than ever before.”

“We are very grateful to Greenpeace International for this stunning project. Freire Shipyard has been selected after an exhaustive tender process because of our ability and commitment to meeting the highest technical, environmental, innovative, sustainability, and human rights standards,” Guillermo and Marcos Freire (General Managers of Freire Shipyard) said in a statement.