In this episode of Climate Positive, Gil Jenkins and Kenny Gayles speak with Heikki Pöntynen, CEO of Norsepower, about how rotor sails are helping the maritime industry cut fuel use and emissions. By harnessing the Magnus effect with spinning cylinders mounted on cargo ships, Norsepower is delivering 5–25% fuel savings today—sometimes even more. Heikki discusses the company’s rapid growh, including a new factory in China to scale production, the evolving policy landscape at the IMO and EU, and why ship owners are increasingly open to wind propulsion.
In this episode of Climate Positive, Gil Jenkins and Kenny Gayles speak with Heikki Pöntynen, CEO of Norsepower, about how rotor sails are helping the maritime industry cut fuel use and emissions. By harnessing the Magnus effect with spinning cylinders mounted on cargo ships, Norsepower is delivering 5–25% fuel savings today—sometimes even more. Heikki discusses the company’s rapid growh, including a new factory in China to scale production, the evolving policy landscape at the IMO and EU, and why ship owners are increasingly open to wind propulsion.
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Episode recorded on September 3, 2025
Chad: I’m Chad Reed.
Hilary: I'm Hilary Langer.
Gil: I'm Gil Jenkins.
Guy: I'm Guy Van Syckle.
Chad: And this is Climate Positive.
Heikki: The maritime industry is de facto quite traditional, old-fashioned, if I may. They are not really the early adopters on many things. So it is like a slow-moving train starting to accelerate. But when it goes, it really goes.
Gil: For this week’s episode we’re looking at an innovative climate solution that blends engineering with imagination: rotor sails.I’m joined by my colleague Kenny Gayles to talk with Heikki Pöntynen, CEO of the Finland-based company Norsepower, about why this technology is taking off and what it could mean for the maritime industry’s efforts to decarbonize.
Gil: Heikki, welcome to Climate Positive.
Heikki: Thank you. Good to be here.
Gil: Well, to kick things off, could you tell us about Norsepower's mission and where you see the business today? And for listeners new to the space, what exactly is a rotor sail and how does it work? I think there's a baseball analogy that I'd love for you to unpack.
Heikki: Pleasure. Norsepower is a clean tech company. Our mission is really to bring sails back to shipping, and by doing that, save the planet. Our product is the rotor sail. A rotor sail is a cylinder that rotates on the deck of a ship. It is not a generator; it doesn't collect energy. We have an electric motor that makes it spin, creating low pressure on one side of the cylinder and higher pressure on the other side.
It’s exactly the same phenomenon that happens when you hit a golf ball with spin—it curves. That’s the Magnus effect, and it creates a powerful force. To give you a sense of magnitude, in good conditions the rotor sail can create more power than the main engine. We’re not talking about minimal gains—it’s substantial.
Gil: And Norsepower is really the original leader of the wind propulsion industry as we know it today. I imagine you have how many patents on this rotor sail technology?
Heikki: We already have nearly 100 patents—covering the product itself, controls, automation, and production technology. We’ve really worked to be the inventor in this industry. The concept had been dormant for a hundred years—it was first invented in the early 1900s. Now it’s back, as disruptive technologies often are when markets, regulations, and sentiment change.
Gil: Yes, its time has come.
Talk about the efficiency. I read that rotor sails typically deliver between 5–25% fuel savings on a ship, with major emissions reductions as well. Could you talk about those specs and what determines that range?
Heikki: You’re right—on average our product saves 5–25% in fuel, with a direct correlation to emissions reductions. In good conditions we can even see 50% savings. We have mid-size tankers that can sail eight knots with the main engine shut down, using rotor sails only.
Of course, it depends on wind conditions, waves, currents, and the number of sails installed.
Gil: You’ve been CEO for a little over a year, since May last year. Tell us about your personal and career journey that led you to Norsepower.
Heikki: I was first recruited as a board member, which let me get to know the company in depth. The more familiar I became with the product and the people, the more intrigued I was. Eventually the board asked me to take over as CEO.
Our Helsinki office has 21 different nationalities among just 80 people—it’s an incredible, diverse team of young talents working toward the same goal: saving the planet. That’s been the most rewarding part of the journey.
Kenny: Getting back to the product—what does a typical retrofit look like for a ship owner, and who is adopting this solution?
Heikki: The adopters are forward-looking ship owners and managers. For them, it’s both environmental sentiment and clear economics.
Typically, preparatory work happens during a scheduled class survey docking, for example every five years. Then the rotor sail itself can be installed in just one day—anywhere in the world—using a crane. Commissioning is done on voyage, minimizing off-hire. Two-thirds of our business today is retrofits.
Gil: Wait—you can retrofit in one day?
Heikki: Yes. Lift it, plug it in, crane it on deck, and it’s ready.
Gil: Wow, fantastic. And correct me if I’m wrong, but I read you had 32 units installed on 18 ships as of March 2025, with another 40 units planned for 15 ships, and a half-billion-euro sales funnel.
Heikki: To be exact, we have 40 units installed and 40 on order, with new contracts coming in weekly. Two years ago, we had to explain how rotor sails worked. Now we get two inquiries per day. Awareness has grown rapidly—everyone in professional circles knows the technology.
Gil: And you announced a big deal in April: the world’s first dedicated rotor sail factory in China, capacity for 50 units per year, scaling to 100 by 2027. Plus an MOU with COSCO Shipping. Big opportunities there.
Heikki: Exactly. We needed our own facility to control production. With 70% of new builds in China, it was the natural location. Since November last year, our wholly-owned factory is operating—on quality, on schedule, on budget. Capacity can already scale to 130 units per year. It was the right move.
Gil: You also have long experience working in China—what’s it like today versus in the past?
Heikki: I’ve worked in China for 30 years, lived there for four. In fact, the person who signed our COSCO agreement was someone I worked with 28 years ago. Great to reconnect. The people are diligent and hardworking, and it’s been a positive experience.
Gil: Let’s turn to policy. The International Maritime Organization (IMO), the UN body, has a plan to reduce emissions 50% by 2030, but many say progress is too slow. Alternative fuels remain expensive and in short supply. Your retrofit solution seems faster—how do you see EU and IMO policy?
Heikki: Many nations agree current measures aren’t enough. IMO’s MEPC 83 meetings are crucial—more strict rules are coming, which is good for us. Payback times for rotor sails could be cut in half. Compared to alternative fuels, which raise ongoing operating costs, rotor sails are a CapEx investment with a clear payback and long-term profit.
Kenny: And compared to other decarbonization technologies—what’s the distinct advantage of rotor sails?
Heikki: Rotor sails deliver the best return per kilowatt of propulsion, based on third-party studies. They’re easy for crews to operate—switch on leaving port, switch off returning. Automation and AI optimize performance, including integration with voyage planning and main propulsion. It’s not just a spinning cylinder—it’s an intelligent system.
Gil: One follow-up: regulators and entrenched players make change hard. What’s it like engaging them?
Heikki: Clarity is key. Rules exist, but owners need to understand the implications. With stricter enforcement and EU port penalties, action is required. Most countries already voted yes to MEPC 83 in April—it’s moving.
Gil: Any other challenges?
Heikki: The industry is still traditional and slow-moving. But a new generation of environmentally conscious ship managers is taking over. We get two inquiries per day. The challenge is often boards approving capital, despite clear 2–3 year paybacks and long-term profits.
Gil: Let’s close with our lightning round. What’s one leadership lesson you’ve learned?
Heikki: Trust your gut—but base it on facts and figures.
Gil: What’s one thing people still get wrong about rotor sails or Norsepower?
Heikki: Many think it’s a generator. It’s not—it consumes electricity to create thrust.
Gil: Something Norsepower is working on behind the scenes?
Heikki: AI steering systems to squeeze the last megawatts of efficiency.
Gil: Will we see rotor sails on cruise ships?
Heikki: Technically yes, though deck space is the main issue. We already have tilting solutions. Cruise ships will eventually adopt them as environmental rules tighten.
Kenny: They say Finland has the happiest people. What Finnish habit should the world adopt?
Heikki: Connection to nature. Walks in the woods, silence, picking berries, sauna, swimming in lakes.
Kenny: And culturally, with Norse explorers—do you feel that spirit in what you’re doing?
Heikki: Absolutely. Finland is full of engineers and innovators. We like building new solutions.
Gil: Any favorite shipyard story?
Heikki: Once, measuring vibrations on a Carnival Cruise Line ship, someone pressed the wrong mic button and broadcast over every loudspeaker. The owner was on board. We had some explaining to do the next day.
Gil: How do you want Norsepower to be remembered?
Heikki: As the company that brought sails back to shipping and proved wind propulsion could decarbonize the industry.
Gil: Final question: To you, what does Climate Positive mean?
Heikki: That I’ve saved more than I consume.
Gil: Great note to end on. Heikki, thank you so much
Heikki: Thanks for having me.
Gil: If you enjoyed this week’s podcast, please leave us a rating and review on Apple or Spotify. It helps us reach more listeners. You can also connect on Twitter @ClimatePosiPod or email us at climatepositive@hasi.com.
I’m Gil Jenkins, and this is Climate Positive.