MV Nike has today, on 20th November 2025, been successfully launched by her builder, Damen Shipyards in Yichang, China.

The innovative and fuel efficient 3850 Dwt General Cargo vessel will be ready to run on Bio Diesel, will be fitted with a battery room and Ventofoils, resulting in a further reduction of emissions. The delivery is expected to take place in 1st Quarter 2026.

Wind for Shipping is an Interreg North-West Europe project that brings together 12 partners from the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, and France. The project has started in December 2024 and runs until June 2028. It aims to support the transition to sustainable maritime transport by advancing the use of wind propulsion technologies.

The participating regions include Pays de la Loire Bretagne (France), Weser-Ems (Germany), and Fryslân (Netherlands). Project partners include shipyards, shipping companies, research institutions, and regional authorities—each contributing their expertise to support innovation in the maritime sector. Next to Sunship Schiffahrtskontor KG, the following project partners are involved: Bijlsma Marine Services, Boomsma Shipping BV, Brittany Development Innovation, Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore, Bureau Veritas Solutions Marine & Offshore, Econowind BV, Farwind Energy, NHL Stenden University of applied sciences, Province of Fryslan, University Ghent, University of applied sciences Emden/Leer. The total project budget is €5.7 million, of which €3.4 million is co-financed by the European Union through the Interreg North-West Europe programme. The project focuses on the development and upscaling of rotorsails and wingsails - large vertical sails or rotating structures that can be installed on ships to harness wind power. We have ordered the Ventofoil technology, a vertical suction wingsail, built by project partner Econowind, which is installed on a newbuilding vessel of our fleet during the project phase. On this pilot project vessel, we aim to conduct in-depths performance measurement and data validation as well as develop crew trainings for efficient and safe operation of the new technology. We are also exploring, together with our project partners and the regional maritime industry, the possibility of establishing a local wind propulsion cluster in our region. Essentially, we are setting sail for a sustainable future in shipping.

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