Wind propulsion developer BAR Technologies (BAR) has entered into a partnership agreement with Nervion Naval Offshore (Nervion), a pioneer in floating offshore wind platforms, to manage and oversee the production of BAR Technologies’ WindWings in Europe.
The agreement with Nervion, a company owned by Amper Group and with factories in Ferrol and As Somozas (Galicia, Spain), is the first manufacturing partnership for BAR Technologies outside of China. It will provide companies that utilize drydocks in Europe with local WindWings® supply.
The move is important as wind propulsion offers shipping companies a way to bolster efficiency and reduce emissions in line with the evolving EU emissions guidelines. As a result, BAR Technologies sees the creation of a European producer of its wind propulsion systems to be a crucial step toward achieving worldwide decarbonization of the shipping industry.
Under the terms of the agreement, Nervion will manage the value chain of procurement and construction of WindWings®, and their installation throughout all the shipyards in Europe. Additionally, Nervion will manage the servicing of the saild during their operational life cycle, alongside running training on the operation of the wing sails for vessel crews. BAR Technologies will continue to innovate and establish additional WindWings® sizes and offerings.
“The establishment of a European supplier of WindWings® offers the opportunity to grow global sales of WindWings®, as vessel owners increasingly look to add wind propulsion to existing and new build vessels to comply with EU regulations. Partnering with Nervion enables us to work with an organisation with a legacy in wind energy manufacturing, to enhance the geographical availability of our WindWings® technology,” John Cooper, Chief Executive Officer, BAR Technologies, said after signing the agreement in Spain.
The deal is being announced on the heels of the company’s partnership with Chinese giant CM Energy Tech to manage and oversee the production of BAR Technologies’ WindWings in China.