Cargill and BAR Technologies’ joint innovation, BAR Tech WindWings by Yara Marine, has embarked on a groundbreaking venture in the maritime industry. Mitsubishi Corporation’s vessel, Pyxis Ocean, chartered by Cargill, has become the pioneer vessel to integrate two WindWings, towering wing sails reaching up to 37.5 meters in height. These WindWings can be affixed to cargo ship decks to harness wind power for propulsion. Manufactured by Yara Marine Technologies, these wings are projected to yield average fuel savings of up to 30 percent on newly constructed vessels, with even greater potential when combined with alternative fuels. The WindWings were successfully installed at the COSCO shipyard in China, and the Pyxis Ocean is now underway on its inaugural journey.
Jan Dieleman, President of Cargill’s Ocean Transportation business, emphasized the industry’s commitment to decarbonization and expressed pride in partnering with Mitsubishi Corporation to invest in innovative solutions like WindWings. The project is aligned with the CHEK Horizon 2020 initiative, co-funded by the European Union, reflecting a shift towards retrofitting existing vessels for a more sustainable energy transition. Given that a significant portion of the world’s bulker fleets are less than nine years old, WindWings offer a practical approach to reducing emissions. The performance of WindWings will be closely monitored to refine their design and functionality, with the ultimate goal of implementing them across Cargill’s fleet and the broader industry.
BAR Technologies and Yara Marine Technologies have ambitious plans to produce hundreds of WindWings over the next four years. BAR Technologies is also exploring improved hydrodynamic hull forms for new vessel construction. John Cooper, CEO of BAR Technologies, highlighted the significance of innovation in achieving emissions reduction goals in international shipping. WindWings tap into wind energy as a nearly cost-free fuel source, promising substantial emissions reduction and operational cost efficiency. The project signifies the culmination of extensive research and collaboration to introduce an efficient wind sail technology that benefits vessel owners and operators alike.
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