Post #68: InSail – Wind-Powered Transport with a Modern Twist

Hello everyone!

It is always rewarding meeting founders who are building practical solutions to some of our hardest challenges we face as humans. Co-founders Florian and Mercedes, are setting out to doing exactly that.

The InSail team brings deep passion for the ocean, grounded environmental strategy, and a clear-eyed vision for island connectivity. Unlike most marine decarbonisation efforts that focus on large-scale commercial shipping, InSail is turning its attention to short island routes—where clean, silent, and efficient alternatives are still largely missing.

Their approach combines wind-powered propulsion, hybrid technology, and next-gen vessel design to reduce emissions, avoid whale collisions, and support energy independence for island communities. Now in development, their first vessel will connect Tenerife and La Gomera, and they’re actively seeking collaborators and strategic partners to bring the project to life — and it’s a great moment to follow along or get involved. Reach out to connect with them!

Why Island Transport Needs a Rethink – Technically and Systemically

Maritime transport is often overlooked in mainstream climate discourse, yet it contributes significantly to global greenhouse gas emissions. According to the International Maritime Organization, shipping accounts for nearly 3% of global CO₂ emissions — a figure projected to increase sharply if left unaddressed. Ferries, in particular, represent a hidden emissions hotspot, with some emitting up to four times more CO₂ per passenger per kilometre than aircraft on comparable short-haul routes.

This becomes especially problematic in archipelagos and coastal nations, where ferries are essential for connecting remote communities, transporting goods, and supporting local economies. In regions like the Canary Islands, the reliance on short-distance, high-frequency maritime routes exacerbates the environmental toll. These are waters rich in biodiversity and cultural heritage, yet they bear the brunt of industrial shipping: underwater noise pollution, heavy fuel oil emissions, waste runoff, and rising collision risks with whales and other marine life.

Equally important is the issue of hydrocarbon dependency. Many island regions import over 80% of their energy, much of it used to power ferries and port infrastructure. This creates both economic vulnerability and carbon inefficiency, particularly when considering the availability of abundant, renewable wind energy offshore.

Despite these compounding issues, most decarbonisation initiatives in the maritime sector have focused on large-scale cargo shipping (as seen in the image below). Little attention is paid to smaller vessels or localised passenger transport, which often operate on tighter margins and lack viable retrofit options.

This is where InSail’s approach stands out.

Instead of incremental upgrades to outdated vessels, InSail is starting with a clean slate. By designing a wind-powered ferry from the keel up, the team is building a platform optimised for both aerodynamic and hydrodynamic efficiency. It’s not just about adding sails or solar panels—it’s about rethinking the vessel as a whole system, tailored to its route, its cargo, and its environmental context.

In short, InSail isn’t just proposing greener transport. They’re designing a new maritime logic for the places that need it most.

The InSail Solution – Reimagining the Ferry from the Keel Up

InSail’s answer to these overlapping challenges is practical: a wind-powered catamaran specifically designed for short-distance island transport. The concept leans into regenerative ocean mobility — using modern technology to revive one of humanity’s oldest propulsion methods: wind.

Rather than retrofitting existing ferries, InSail is developing a purpose-built vessel optimised for zero-emissions travel, minimal environmental disruption, and high operational efficiency. Here’s what makes the solution stand out:

Vessel Design

The InSail ferry is based on a catamaran platform — a proven design in terms of stability, speed, and energy efficiency. This dual-hull format reduces hydrodynamic drag, allowing for smoother travel even in variable sea conditions. It’s optimised to carry 120 passengers and light goods, serving frequent inter-island routes such as Tenerife to La Gomera, with 4 daily departures in under 2 hours per crossing.

Wind as Primary Propulsion

InSail takes wind seriously—not as a supplement, but as the core energy source. Through a combination of high-performance rigging, automated sail management, and precision naval architecture, the vessel can operate at full efficiency without relying on diesel engines. According to their projections, it uses 0 litres of diesel per hour, offering a 100% reduction in fine particles, port contamination, and direct emissions.

Environmental Intelligence

Beyond carbon, the vessel is designed with marine ecosystems in mind. Its quiet operation reduces underwater noise pollution, which is a major stressor for cetaceans and other sensitive species. The design also significantly reduces lethal whale strike risk by over 92%, thanks to slower, more predictable movement patterns and smart routing.

Autonomy & Data

InSail is also working to integrate digital systems for real-time monitoring and route optimisation. This adds operational intelligence without adding complexity, offering ferry operators a smooth user experience while ensuring safety and fuel-free performance.

In combining traditional energy sources with cutting-edge marine tech, InSail is crafting a ferry that’s not just green — it’s autonomous, safe, comfortable, and ready to scale in similar regions across the globe.

Future Applications & Regenerative Vision

While the Canary Islands are the testing ground, InSail’s vision stretches far beyond this initial route. Their long-term ambition is to scale regenerative ocean mobility to archipelagos, coastal regions, and small-island nations around the world—especially where maritime travel is essential for economic and social connectivity but remains heavily reliant on imported fossil fuels.

Scalability & Adaptability

InSail’s model isn’t just about building a single ferry—it’s about pioneering a blueprint. A blueprint that can be replicated, adapted, and deployed across island networks from the Caribbean to the Philippines. With over 730 million people depending on maritime connections globally, and 75% of ferry operators indicating a need for cleaner solutions, the demand is real and growing.

Their modular approach to vessel design, combined with wind-first propulsion, means these ferries can be tailored to different island geographies, passenger loads, and infrastructure constraints. This flexibility is crucial for enabling access to sustainable transport—without needing large capital investments from local governments or operators.

Regenerative Ethos

More than a transport company, InSail sees itself as part of a larger ecological and cultural movement. The team wants to reconnect people to the ocean, shifting the narrative from extractive to regenerative.

Their values include:

• Autonomy – helping communities reduce dependency on foreign energy.

• Resilience – designing systems that can operate independently and reliably.

• Circularity – embracing materials, energy, and business models that reduce waste.

• Education – making each journey a moment of connection and learning about ocean health and sustainable living.

In doing so, InSail is carving out a space not just in decarbonised mobility, but in the broader landscape of ocean-positive innovation. Their work is a reminder that progress doesn't always mean reinvention—it can also mean rediscovery, reimagining the tools we've always had in ways that work for today’s planet and tomorrow’s needs.

Wrapping up

By choosing to focus on wind—not as an auxiliary feature, but as the core propulsion system—they’re making a clear statement: the solutions we need may already exist, we just need to apply them with care, creativity, and purpose.

Their approach is refreshing—technical but grounded, visionary but rooted in practicality. And with a mission that centres island communities, marine biodiversity, and ocean health, they’re pointing toward a more regenerative future of ocean travel.

InSail will be pitching as part of the NOA2025 Ocean Accelerator on July 1st. If you're an investor, maritime operator, design collaborator—or simply curious about the future of clean inter-island transport—this is one to keep on your radar. Get in touch if you'd like to connect with them or learn more.

Thanks for reading:)

H