BAR Technologies and Yara Marine partner to bring WindWings to global shipping market

BAR Technologies and Yara Marine Technologies reach exclusive agreement to design and implement wind-assisted propulsion for the global shipping industry. Solid wing sails will offer the shipping industry up to 30% in fuel efficiency savings.

19 April, 2021 – BAR Technologies (BARTech), an innovative simulation-driven marine engineering consultancy, has entered into a partnership agreement with Yara Marine Technologies (Yara), front-runner in the development and implementation of emission-reduction technologies in the maritime sector. The product will now be known as the BARTech WindWings by Yara Marine Technologies (WindWings).

Yara Marine will offer WindWings in its portfolio to ship owners globally and manage the value chain of procurement, construction, installation, service and training for the WindWings in global locations, ensuring ready availability of the technology to meet the needs of the shipping industry worldwide. This will include WindWings for the first commercial retrofit to a Cargill vessel, expected for delivery in 2022.

As the global maritime sector sharpens its decarbonisation focus, with the International Maritime Organisation targeting a 30% reduction in CO2 emissions by 2030, the shipping industry is understandably under growing pressure to swiftly identify technologies that will facilitate significant emissions reduction. Equally, with recent economic volatility experienced throughout the sector, technology solutions must also provide significant operational savings in order to be rapidly adopted by shipping firms weathering downward pressure on revenues.

In order to ensure a smooth pathway to bring the technology onto the global stage, BAR Technologies, Cargill and other WindWings project partners are in regular dialogue with class society DNV, and have already been through the rigours of Hazard workshops in order to demonstrate the safety and effectiveness of the product, ensuring significant progress towards Approval In Principle.

To tackle the challenge of shipping’s need to reduce carbon emissions whilst adhering to tight arrival schedules, WindWings offers up to a 30% reduction in fuel consumption for bulk carriers, tankers and other large shipping vessels, by combining wind propulsion with route optimization. The product features large solid wing sails that measure up to 45 meters in height, fitted to the deck of bulk cargo ships to harness the power of the wind. This original size will be one of three specifications to be brought to market.

Under the terms of the agreement, Yara and BAR Tech will sell WindWings to the wider shipping industry, with BAR Tech retaining the obligation to continue to innovate and establish additional WindWings offerings.

John Cooper, Chief Executive Officer, BAR Technologies, said: “Yara Marine has consistently demonstrated its ability and dedication at providing commercial shipping operators with new emission reducing technologies, throughout the value chain, which made them a natural partner for the programme.

“Working with Yara to deliver the first installation of WindWings for Cargill sets the benchmark as a true industry first, and we believe that the combination of expertise afforded by all parties marks out the technology for long-term commercial success.

“Moving forward, the time is right for WindWings to be offered across the global industry, by benefitting from Yara Marine’s extensive network and experience.”

Thomas Koniordos, Chief Executive Officer, Yara Marine Technologies, said: “As we look to set the shipping industry on track to decarbonise, BAR Technologies’ innovative product will be a crucial step on that journey. We already have most of the value chain set up and we are getting ready to sell and deploy this breath-taking technology.

“Since we first began discussions with BAR Technologies, we’ve been increasingly impressed with the scope of the technology, and the firm’s commitment to continue to refine and develop the offering. We’re very much looking forward to beginning work on behalf of Cargill for the first vessel installations.”

Jan Dieleman, President, Ocean Transportation, Cargill, said: “Wind propulsion is increasingly important due to its high energy saving potential and because it works well in any combination with other devices and fuels. WindWings is a novel solution which is a great addition to our toolkit and through our partnership we will bring bespoke wind solutions to customers who are actively seeking to reduce CO2 emissions from their supply chain. We’re pleased that Yara Marine will be partnering with BAR Technologies on WindWings, as it brings our first retrofit ever closer.”

You can see a demonstration of WindWings in the Virtual Showroom here: https://www.bartechnologies.uk/showroom/

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About BAR Technologies:

With an impressive heritage, having originally spun out from the former British, America’s Cup Team, BAR Tech provide a wide range of design and engineering consultancy services with a focus on 4 key sectors; Workboats and Commercial Vessels, Shipping, Special Projects and Leisure Marine and Yachts.

BAR Technologies offer a cohesive team of world lead naval architects and optimisation specialists; fluid dynamists; mechanical, structural and composite engineers; control strategy and system specialists; they offer data and simulation engineers with access to the latest commercial knowledge, using bespoke in-house design tools.

For more details please visit: https://www.bartechnologies.uk/

About Yara Marine Technologies:

Yara Marine Technologies protects the planet with new innovative ideas for emission abatement. Since 2010, Yara Marine Technologies has been a frontrunner in the emission reduction industry and has developed into one of the world’s largest providers of high quality scrubber systems, with more than 400 systems installed removing tonnes of SOx from the atmosphere every year.

Today, we provide a portfolio of green technologies, collaborating with ship-owners and yards to reduce and eliminate ship emissions in order to ensure a healthy planet for future generations.

About Cargill:

Cargill’s 160,000 employees across 70 countries work relentlessly to achieve our purpose of nourishing the world in a safe, responsible and sustainable way. Every day, we connect farmers with markets, customers with ingredients, and people and animals with the food they need to thrive. We combine 154 years of experience with new technologies and insights to serve as a trusted partner for food, agriculture, financial and industrial customers in more than 125 countries. Side-by-side, we are building a stronger, sustainable future for agriculture.

For Yara Marine Technologies media enquiries: Elena Gonder, MSL Group / elena.gonder@mslgroup.com/ +47 473 15 818

For BAR Technologies media enquiries:Luke Atkins, Tamarindo Group / luke.atkins@tamarindogroup.com/ +44 (0) 20 7100 1616