Norsepower, the Finnish wind propulsion technology company, and Cosco Shipping Heavy Industry Equipment (CHIC) have signed a dedicated research and development cooperation agreement aimed at advancing the design and performance of Norsepower’s rotor sail technology.

The agreement was signed on 29 June in Yancheng, China, by Heikki Pöntynen, CEO of Norsepower, and Roger Liu, vice general manager of CHIC, in the presence of representatives from both organisations. It builds on a broader cooperation agreement (COA) signed in Shanghai earlier this year, which covers the production, sales, installation and service operations of Norsepower Rotor Sails.

The new R&D agreement establishes a dedicated partnership focused on the further development and optimisation of key rotor sail components. Joint development work will target improvements in design, manufacturability, installation efficiency and operational performance, with the aim of supporting the next generation of Norsepower Rotor Sails.

The two firms first signed a memorandum of understanding last year, before progressing to the COA in early 2026. The latest agreement represents a further step, in a move designed to combine Norsepower’s wind propulsion expertise with CHIC’s engineering and manufacturing capabilities.

Pöntynen commented: “The market for wind propulsion continues to grow rapidly, and innovation remains essential to ensuring we deliver the highest levels of performance, reliability and value to our customers. We are pleased to deepen our cooperation with CHIC in the field of R&D and continue developing technologies that support the large-scale adoption of wind propulsion.”

Norsepower added: "Both companies remain committed to advancing practical, scalable solutions that help shipowners reduce fuel consumption, lower emissions and improve operational efficiency, contributing to the green and low-carbon transformation of the global shipping industry."