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The Great Days of Sail to Return…?
Wind propulsion is gaining traction in the shipping industry, with BAR Technologies reporting a surge in interest for its WindWings ® rigid sail technology. Speaking at Singapore Maritime Week’s ‘Accelerating Digitalization and Decarbonization Conference’ on 26 March, CEO John Cooper said the shift marks a “tipping point” for wind-assisted shipping.
WindWings ® technology is designed to reduce emissions and fuel consumption, offering average daily savings of 1.5 tonnes of fuel and 4.6 tonnes of CO₂ per wing. Union Maritime, which is collaborating with BAR Technologies, plans to fit up to 30 newbuild vessels with the system. The ships are under construction at eight different shipyards.
Bhuvnesh Dogra, Union Maritime’s Head of Technical, described WindWings ® as a key solution for emissions reduction. He emphasised the company’s decision to invest in the technology following a review of available options.
Cooper addressed concerns around production and delivery, stating that BAR Technologies’ manufacturing partner, China Merchants Energy Tech, has scalable production capacity. “They’re producing 10 units at a time and have the potential to make over 100 annually,” he said.
Lead times have also been improved, with 37.5m wings available within eight months and the newly launched 20m and 24m wings in seven months. Retrofits now align with standard drydock periods.
BAR Technologies is offering performance guarantees, with Cooper asserting that the thrust output is known and verifiable, reducing risk for shipowners.
More information: www.bartechnologies.uk
Powerboat & RIB
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