BAR Technologies: New collaboration to bring WindWings to Japanese shipping market

November 26, 2024, by Ajsa Habibic

UK-based wind propulsion specialist BAR Technologies has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Japanese companies Mitsubishi Corporation and Nihon Shipyard to explore opportunities for delivering wind-assisted propulsion systems to the Japanese shipping market.

As per the MoU terms, BAR Technologies, Mitsubishi Corporation, and Nihon Shipyard will leverage their combined expertise to deliver new low-emission vessels, while identifying opportunities to integrate BAR Technologies’ patented wind propulsion system WindWings into existing and new vessel designs.

Mitsubishi Corporation and BAR Technologies have also agreed for Mitsubishi Corporation to operate as an agent for WindWings in Japan.

The partners said this MoU would set a framework for their further collaboration following the installation of WindWings onto Mitsubishi Corporation’s vessel Pyxis Ocean.

The 81,000 dwt ship, owned by Japanese shipping company MC Shipping (controlled by Mitsubishi Coporation) and chartered by Swiss corporation Cargill, hit open waters in August 2023 after being installed with two WindWings measuring 37.5 meters in height.

In the first six months of testing, the bulker sailed the Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean, North and South Atlantic, and passed Cape Horn and the Cape of Good Hope, with WindWings technology achieving performance consistent with what was predicted — equivalent to an average of 3 tonnes of fuel per day.

Classification society DNV also confirmed in a report that, when sailing in favorable conditions, the two BAR Technologies’ WindWings installed on the Pyxis Ocean reduced energy consumption of the main engine by 32% per nautical mile.

John Cooper, CEO of BAR Technologies, commented on the new agreement: “We are excited to enter into this MOU with Mitsubishi Corporation and Nihon Shipyard, combining our respective skillsets with the market scale to expedite low-emission shipping design and manufacturing into the Japanese merchant fleet, expanding our global presence.

“As the third largest global shipping manufacturer, Japan has huge potential to drive positive change in the next generation of large commodities vessels. With a rapidly growing pipeline of WindWings® orders for vessels in other major shipping markets, the next logical stage in our journey was to seek a partnership with Mitsubishi Corporation and Nihon Shipyard to enable customers in Japan to ensure their fleets will be compliant with global shipping emissions regulations now and into the future. We look forward to progressing this MoU with Mitsubishi and Nihon Shipyard in due course.”

Naoki Arima, General Manager in Ship & Infrastructure Dept. Mitsubishi Corporation, added: “ (…)Having an existing, long and trustworthy relationship with BAR Technologies and its WindWings® technology, we felt the next step in the partnership was to further integrate the offer enabling us to provide more value to the industry, especially for Japanese shipping companies who are exploring ways to maintain a sustainable business.”