iMarine

Union Maritime taps wind-assisted propulsion for LR2 newbuilds

British shipowner Union Maritime plans to install WindWings®, a wind propulsion technology developed by UK-based BAR Technologies (BAR Tech), on two newly built 114,000 dwt LR2 tankers. Currently, the majority of wind assist systems are used in the bulk carrier and small ship sectors.

The two vessels, currently being built at Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding (SWS) for delivery in late 2025, will each feature three WindWings rigid sails.

Union Maritime’s LRs are the latest vessels to adopt BAR Tech’s WindWings solution, following the installation of the technology onto the Pyxis Ocean and Berge Olympus vessels in the second half of 2023.

Among them, “Pyxis Ocean” was refitted by COSCO Shipping Heavy Industry ( Shanghai); “Berge Olympus” was refitted by Yiu Lian Dockyards(Zhoushan) Limited.

With a height of up to 50 meters, WindWings® sails reduce CO2 emissions by up to 30% while improving fuel efficiency by combining with a course optimization system that allows for timely adjustment of rigid sails according to wind conditions, speed and heading without compromising speed.

This technology, which received Approval in Principle (AiP) from DNV in 2021, has proven its effectiveness in reducing fuel consumption and CO2 emissions: data shows that a single sail can save up to 1.5 tons of fuel and reduce CO2 emissions by about 5 tons per day on a typical global route.

“Our latest contract with UML demonstrates the growing demand for our WindWings technology and the benefits it can bring to the maritime industry,” said John Cooper, CEO of BAR Tech.

The deal also follows BAR Technologies’ partnership with manufacturing partner CM Energy Tech (CMET), which now manages the value chain of procurement and construction of WindWings and their installation throughout shipyards in Asia.

WindWings operate in conjunction with a route optimisation system that adjusts the rigid sails based on wind conditions, vessel speed, and course, without compromising the vessel’s speed.

According to BAR Tech, the technology has potential savings of up to 1.5 tonnes of fuel and around 5 tonnes of CO2 per wing per day on typical global routes.

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