Union Maritime building tankers with WindWings

The two vessels are currently being built at Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding (SWS)’s yard in China.

Each LR2 tanker, capable of carrying 114,000 DWT, has been designed by SWS and classed by Lloyds Register. They will be delivered to the London-based tanker owner and operator in late 2025.

In a statement, Laurent Cadji, Union Maritime’s managing director, said: “WindWings have increasingly been proven to enhance the performance and efficiency of vessels around the world. We are looking forward to the successful delivery and operation of the WindWings on our newbuild vessels.”

According to BAR Technologies, WindWings offer potential savings of up to 1.5 tonnes of fuel and around five tonnes of CO2 per wing per day on typical global routes.

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.

Union Maritime’s two new long-range tankers are the latest vessels to adopt BAR Technologies’ WindWings solution, following the successful installation onto the Pyxis Ocean, a Kamsarmax bulk carrier owned by Mitsubishi Corporation; and Berge Olympus, a Newcastlemax bulker quipped with four WindWings, in the second half of 2023.

John Cooper, CEO of BAR Technologies, said: “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. We look forward to seeing the WindWings  in action on the newbuild vessels and helping UML achieve its sustainability goals.”