Wind propulsion developer BAR Technologies (BAR) has launched new 20m and 24m models of its WindWings, designed to save 0.7 tonnes of fuel per day per WindWing on average on worldwide routes.
Building on the 37.5m WindWings, which demonstrated significant energy reductions, the new models are expected to make wind-assisted propulsion (WAP) technology accessible to a broader range of vessels, including handysize bulkers, chemical tankers, and other smaller ships, effectively increasing the target fleet size by nearly 50%.
The new models weigh less than 30 tonnes and can be fitted on both newbuilds and retrofits, BAR explains.
Key features of the 20-24m WindWings include:
According to BAR, the new models, which are projected to deliver 0.7 tonnes of fuel savings per WindWing per day on average on worldwide routes, will be manufactured in China and Spai n from next year, aligning with the growing global demand driven by regulatory measures such as the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS), with similar policies anticipated in South Korea and Turkey.
WindWings’ fuel-saving capabilities were first independently validated by DNV Maritime earlier this year. Their deployment on vessels such as the Pyxis Ocean and Berge Olympus has demonstrated a 32% reduction in energy use per nautical mile .