BAR Technologies taps WindWaves to manufacture new 20-24m WindWings

Wind propulsion developer BAR Technologies (BAR) and WindWaves, Nervion Naval Offshore (Nervion), have expanded their partnership with a new agreement for manufacturing BAR’s new 20 and 24-meter WindWings.

The deal will see the offshore wind platforms pioneer WindWaves manufacture, sell, and deliver BAR’s new 20 and 24-meter WindWings wing sail design within Europe.

Under the agreement, WindWaves will manage the value chain of procurement and construction of 20-meter and 24-meter WindWings and their installation at shipyards across Europe. Additionally, WindWaves will manage the servicing of WindWings during their operational life cycle, alongside crew training on the operation of the wing sails.

According to BAR, the new models are a compact and lightweight version of the original patented three-element design, which can save more than 500 tonnes of CO2 per WindWing per year at less than five years payback.

The new WindWings are aimed at handysize bulkers, chemical tankers, and smaller vessels, increasing the target fleet size by 50%. They weigh less than 30 tonnes and can fit on both newbuilds and retrofits.

To remind, WindWaves and BAR signed a similar deal for the larger 37.5-meter WindWings at the beginning of this year.

John Cooper, CEO of BAR Technologies, said: “We are delighted to expand on our existing relationship with WindWaves, a business with a proud legacy in wind energy manufacturing. Having previously agreed a deal for the manufacture and supply of our 37.5m WindWings variant, it’s incredibly exciting to be bringing our newest, and more compact, 20m-24m models to the European market, signalling an expansion to a huge market of smaller vessels, and further enhancing the geographical availability of our WindWings technology.” 

Roberto Bouzas, General Manager of WindWaves, commented: “Shipping is in the midst of enormous transformational change, both in terms of regulations and commercial needs. Benefitting from our history in manufacturing for the wind sector, we look forward to supporting BAR Technologies with their new 20m-24m WindWings®, and continuing the trajectory towards a cleaner and decarbonised global shipping sector.”