Dynarig

North Windships, a North Technology Group company, has formed with a vision to lead commercial shipping to a more sustainable future, lowering emissions and reducing impact on our environment.

Wilhelm Prölß and the Original Concept (1960s)

Prölß designed the DynaRig as a fully automated, free-standing mast system with multiple yards (horizontal spars) that rotate as a single unit. Unlike conventional sailing rigs, which require extensive rigging and crew effort, the DynaRig was intended to be operated with minimal manpower and adjusted at the push of a button.

At the time, his idea was too advanced for commercial adoption, and the concept remained theoretical for several decades.

Revival with the Maltese Falcon (2006)

The DynaRig concept remained dormant until the early 2000s when Perini Navi and Dutch naval architect Gerard Dijkstra adapted it for the Maltese Falcon, a 88-meter luxury sailing yacht built by Perini Navi for American venture capitalist Tom Perkins.

The Maltese Falcon, launched in 2006, was the first vessel to successfully implement the DynaRig in a real-world setting. It featured:

Three rotating masts with 15 square sails.
Automated control via a central system, allowing a single operator to trim all sails simultaneously.
Superior aerodynamic efficiency, making it significantly faster and more manoeuverable than traditional square-rigged vessels.

The success of the Maltese Falcon proved that the DynaRig was not just a theoretical concept but a practical and efficient sail system for modern yachts and ships.

Expansion into Commercial and Cargo Shipping

Following the success of the Maltese Falcon, the DynaRig concept gained interest for commercial shipping applications as a way to reduce fuel consumption and emissions. Companies and research organizations have explored using DynaRigs on large cargo ships, such as:

NorthWindships and Southern Spars working on wind-powered shipping solutions.
DynaRig is being used in both retrofits and newbuilds, helping shipowners meet tightening environmental regulations and improve operational efficiency.

Key Advantages of the DynaRig

No traditional rigging – The masts are free-standing and require no stays or shrouds.
Highly efficient sail handling – The entire system can be controlled automatically.
Reduced crew requirements – Unlike conventional sailing ships, DynaRig-equipped vessels need fewer crew members.
Fuel savings & emissions reduction – Wind-assisted propulsion helps lower fuel costs and carbon emissions, making it attractive for the shipping industry.
By combining automated sail handling with intelligent navigation, vessels can achieve even greater fuel savings, lower emissions, and reduce operating costs delivering a smarter, more sustainable way to cross the oceans.

Future of the DynaRig

With increasing regulatory pressure to reduce shipping emissions, the DynaRig is gaining attention as a viable wind propulsion technology. New projects are looking at implementing scaled-up versions of the rig for large cargo ships, bringing wind propulsion back into mainstream maritime operations.