Abstract: The ever escalating costs of bunker fuel for the shipping industry together with Stringent International Regulations on air pollution has led to the search for alternative forms of energy which is pure, available in plenty, renewable and cost effective. Energy harnessed from ocean winds is a viable proposition. This study discusses the reasons for the rising costs of fuel oil, the steps to mitigate it by using green ship technologies and slow steaming. This study examines how ocean winds can be harnessed to provide power for ship propulsion. Ocean winds are available in abundance are stronger and steadier than land winds and easier to harness. Various technologies for harnessing surface or close to surface winds, like the Flettner rotor employing the Magnus effect, increasing the size of the hull (Maersk) using kites to assist ship propulsion (SkySails) and wind turbines are described in this study. Wind at ground level is relatively weak (low speeds) and inconsistent. As a generalism, it becomes stronger (high speeds) and more consistent the higher up you go. Using this fact, more advanced technologies have been developed like the Airborne Wind Turbine (AWT), air rotor system and air rotor wind generator (Magenn), Flying Electric Generators (FEG)-SkyWind power and the Makani wing. These new developments are also technically discussed in detail. Finally, the benefits and limitations of these devices are described. This study concludes by stating that the use of the wind energy by the use of wind turbines has a great scope in the shipping industry and is also a renewable source of energy. The initial cost of installation of the systems would be high but is a very cost efficient system for a longer run.