UK’s tanker owner and operator Union Maritime is planning to fit two of its LR2 tankers under construction with WindWings.
The two 114,000 dwt vessels, currently being built at the renowned Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding yard in China, will each feature three WindWings, a wind propulsion technology developed by British design and engineering firm BAR Technologies.
Union Maritime’s two new long-range tankers are the latest vessels to adopt BAR Technologies’ WindWings solution, following the installation of the technology onto the Pyxis Ocean and Berge Olympus vessels in the second half of 2023.
The LR2 tankers, which will be delivered in late 2025, are designed by SWS’s own team and classed by Lloyds Register.
WindWings operate in conjunction with a route optimisation system that adjusts the rigid sails based on wind conditions, vessel speed, and course, all without compromising the vessel’s speed.
According to BAR Technologies, WindWings have potential savings of up to 1.5 tonnes of fuel and around 5 tonnes of CO2 per wing per day on typical global routes.
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 Asia.
Laurent Cadji, managing director of Union Maritime, said: “We are excited to work with BAR Technologies and CMET on this project, which will enable us to reduce our fuel consumption and emissions significantly. WindWings® have increasingly been proven to enhance the performance and efficiency of vessels around the world.”
John Cooper, chief executive of BAR Technologies, noted: “Our latest contract with UML demonstrates the growing demand for our WindWings® technology and the benefits it can bring to the maritime industry. We are also proud to partner with CMET, who have the expertise and experience to deliver our WindWings® to the highest standards.”
Source: BAR Technologies.
