A decisive step for the commercial maturation of wind propulsion was made with the SOLAS certification of the under-construction LR2-type tankers, being built by Yangzijiang Shipbuilding and expected to be delivered in early 2026. These vessels are the first dual-fuel LNG ships that combine WindWings technology with full compliance to SOLAS safety and navigation requirements for bridge visibility, navigation lights, and radar line of sight. The approval was granted by the Marshall Islands registry, following a detailed assessment by Lloyd’s Register.
The initiative is part of Project AeroPower, a collaboration that brought together key industry players, aiming to establish the necessary foundation for the wide adoption of wind propulsion in shipping. The “Brands Hatch”, the world’s first newbuild tanker with WindWings, recently completed its maiden voyage, replacing in favorable conditions over 12.8 tons of fuel daily and reducing CO₂ emissions by approximately 40 tons.
With this development, Union Maritime, BAR Technologies, and their partners demonstrate how cutting-edge technology can transform the industry, proving that the green transition in shipping is not only feasible but also commercially viable.
