BAR Technologies’ WindWings Set Sail. How does it work?
In a remarkable stride towards a more sustainable future, the dynamic collaboration between maritime giants Cargill and BAR Technologies has birthed a new era of innovation in the shipping sector. The awe-inspiring WindWings, developed in partnership with Yara Marine Technologies, have taken their inaugural voyage. It’s charting a novel course for commercial shipping that promises to revolutionize the industry’s environmental impact.
Pioneering a Greener Era
Leading the vanguard in this pioneering endeavor is Mitsubishi Corporation’s Pyxis Ocean. The latter is an emblematic vessel fitted with two colossal WindWings, each towering at an impressive 37.5 meters in height. This retrofitting of wind propulsion technology marks an unprecedented milestone in maritime history. Yara Marine Technologies, the brainchild behind these monumental wing sails, has harnessed the wind’s inexhaustible power to drive forward this transformation. These WindWings are projected to usher in fuel savings of around 30% on average for newly constructed vessels Moreover, this statistic poised to soar even higher when paired with innovative alternative fuels. The installation of these WindWings at the COSCO shipyard in China represents a pivotal moment in the journey toward a cleaner and more sustainable ocean.
Cargill’s Resolute Decarbonization Endeavor
Jan Dieleman, President of Cargill’s Ocean Transportation business, candidly acknowledges that decarbonizing the maritime industry is no small feat. However, it is an ambition worth pursuing. With an unwavering commitment to forging a greener path, Cargill acknowledges its responsibility as a leader to spearhead solutions for decarbonization. Collaborating with forward-thinking shipowner Mitsubishi Corporation underscores their dedication to pioneering, investing, taking calculated risks. Furthermore, they will promote transparency to accelerate the maritime industry’s transition to an environmentally-conscious horizon.
Strides in Retrofitting and Decarbonization
The European Union through the CHEK Horizon 2020 initiative backs the project. Besides, WindWings ushers in a paradigm shift in the industry’s stance towards energy transition technologies. Beyond merely meeting ambitious carbon reduction goals, this initiative offers retrofit solutions with the potential to decarbonize existing vessels. This is particularly noteworthy considering that a substantial 55% of the world’s bulker fleets are less than a decade old.
A Promising Trajectory
In the forthcoming months, the performance of WindWings will undergo meticulous scrutiny to fine-tune their design, operation, and overall efficiency. As the Pyxis Ocean sets sail, it carries not only the aspirations of Cargill’s fleet but the aspirations of the entire industry. BAR Technologies and Yara Marine Technologies stand poised to fabricate hundreds of these revolutionary wing sails over the next four years. Moreover, BAR Technologies is venturing into the realm of novel ship construction. It will also explore designs that optimize hydrodynamic hull forms for enhanced performance.
Unleashing the Potential of Wind
According to John Cooper, the visionary CEO of BAR Technologies, the international shipping industry aspires to drastically cut CO2 emissions. Furthermore, he emphasizes that innovation is the keystone to achieving such lofty goals. The WindWings, by leveraging the power of wind, present the maritime world with an unprecedented opportunity to curb emissions. At the same time, it will potentially reap substantial savings in vessel operating costs. By embracing wind power, WindWings have swiftly established themselves as an indispensable asset for vessel proprietors aiming to meet new Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) regulations and streamline their operations.
A Sail Towards a Sustainable Horizon
The WindWing Project isn’t merely a leap; it’s a full-fledged expedition towards a sustainable tomorrow. By capitalizing on the inexhaustible power of wind, these innovative wing sails also hold the potential to revolutionize the maritime landscape, enabling remarkable fuel savings that could alleviate vessel owners from the financial burdens of heavy fuel oil expenses. As the maritime industry navigates towards a cleaner horizon, the revolutionary WindWings stand as a guiding light, propelling us toward a future defined by eco-consciousness, efficiency, and promise, all thanks to the visionary leadership of BAR Technologies.
