Dutch wind-assisted ship propulsion technology company Econowind plans to revolutionise maritime sustainability and expand the company’s impact in the global shipping industry, and has appointed a new CCO, Chiel de Leeuw, to play a key role in advancing Econowind’s mission.
De Leeuw has previously served as commercial director at luxury yacht builder Oceanco, prior to which he held the position of sales director at Damen Shipyards Group.
In his new role as CCO, de Leeuw will be instrumental in driving Econowind’s commercial strategy and further expanding its global footprint. His experience in sales, business development, and strategic partnerships is seen as key to advancing Econowind’s mission to revolutionise the maritime industry with sustainable and cost-effective wind-assist technologies.
Frank Nieuwenhuis, CEO Econowind, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Chiel to the Econowind leadership team. His deep industry expertise and commercial acumen make him the perfect fit to lead our commercial efforts as we continue to scale our innovative solutions and support the maritime industry’s transition to greener operations. Shipping companies reap the highest wind yield per square meter in the industry with our VentoFoils.”
De Leeuw said: “I am excited to join Econowind at this pivotal moment in the company’s journey. The maritime sector is undergoing a fundamental transformation, and I look forward to contributing to Econowind’s vision of making shipping more sustainable. It is inspiring to see shipping companies increasingly implementing Wind-Assisted Ship Propulsion systems on their vessels. I am convinced it will become the norm in the industry.”
The appointment comes as Econowind accelerates its commitment to delivering innovative solutions that help shipowners and operators reduce fuel consumption and emissions, aligning with global decarbonisation goals. Building on the success of the 16m suction wing sails, Econowind is now developing larger VentoFoils measuring between 24m and 30m.
Image: Chiel de Leeuw, Chief Commercial Officer, Econowind (source: Econowind)
