BAR Technologies to Equip Union Maritime Tankers with Wind Propulsion System
UK-based wind propulsion technology provider BAR Technologies has received an order for its propulsion system to be installed on two new long-range 2 (LR2) dual-fuel tankers operated by compatriot shipping company Union Maritime.
According to the company, this is one of the first confirmed large-scale wind propulsion deployments on this vessel class.
The decision to install the WindWings on the tankers Suzuka and Long Beach follows the successful integration of the technology on the UML-operated Brands Hatch, showcasing the industry’s growing interest in wind as a core alternative fuel for maritime decarbonization.
The two 250-meter-long tankers will each be equipped with two 37.5m WindWings, expected to deliver an average of 3 tonnes of daily fuel savings. This translates to annual CO₂ reductions of around 2,300 tonnes per tanker, equivalent to removing over 500 conventionally powered passenger cars from the road. The vessels are set to enter service ahead of the IMO’s 2030 emissions reduction targets, providing early compliance benefits and long-term operational efficiencies.
The tankers are being designed by SDARI and constructed by Xiamen Shipbuilding Industry (XSI), with steel cutting confirmed for November 2025 and delivery scheduled for Q1 2027.
“Fitting WindWings to tankers of this type breaks new ground for wind propulsion. It proves the technology can scale and complement dual-fuel systems as a practical tool for decarbonizing even the most energy-intensive vessel types. Wind is no longer an experiment or a future option; it’s a proven fuel source ready to deliver real impact today,” commented John Cooper, CEO of BAR Technologies.
Flagged under the Marshall Islands and classed by Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore, the vessels are said to meet the most rigorous international safety and performance requirements, according to BAR Technologies.
This LR2 deployment is significant as these tankers are widely used for transporting refined petroleum and chemicals globally. Integrating wind propulsion into such a high-utilization vessel class signals a major step forward, moving WindWings from innovation to infrastructure.
“This project marks an important step in scaling wind propulsion through advanced manufacturing, and we are proud to support one of the first large-scale deployments on LR2 dual fuel tankers, a critical vessel class in global shipping. By combining BAR Technologies’ design expertise with CM Energy Tech’s production capabilities, we are delivering a high-precision, reliable WindWings system optimized for real-world commercial use. As demand grows, this partnership ensures the technology can be produced and deployed at scale,” said Shougang Shi, Sales Director at CM Energy Tech.
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