London, United Kingdom – 11 September 2025 — Union Maritime, a global leader in smart shipping solutions, has achieved a historic milestone in maritime sustainability with the maiden voyage of Brands Hatch, the world’s first newbuild tanker fitted with BAR Technologies’ revolutionary WindWings® wind propulsion system. On 8th September, the vessel made its inaugural European port call in Rotterdam, marking a new era for wind-assisted shipping and proving the commercial viability of next-generation green technologies at sea.
Brands Hatch’s journey showcased the impressive fuel efficiency and operational reliability of WindWings®. Despite carrying a full load, the tanker successfully derived over one-third of its propulsion power from wind alone under favourable weather conditions—demonstrating that WindWings® technology delivers not only peak performance but also sustained fuel savings during long ocean passages.
Partnering closely with charterers, Union Maritime utilized sail-aware weather routing from Ascenz Marorka, enhancing route optimization beyond conventional methods. This innovative approach resulted in remarkable fuel savings: in just 24 hours, Brands Hatch’s three WindWings® replaced a total of 12.8 tonnes of fuel—equivalent to 4.3 tonnes per wing. This translates into an impressive reduction of approximately 13 tonnes of CO2 emissions per WindWing® each day. For six continuous hours within this period, the vessel sustained peak fuel replacement performance exceeding 18 tonnes per day, underscoring the transformative potential of wind-assisted propulsion at commercial scale.
Brands Hatch is the vanguard of Union Maritime’s ambitious rollout of a wind-assisted tanker fleet, poised to become the largest of its kind worldwide. A significant portion of this fleet will be equipped with BAR Technologies’ WindWings®, enabling the company to fully comply with stringent international environmental standards through 2030 and beyond.
To support this pioneering deployment, Union Maritime spearheaded Project AeroPower—a collaborative initiative with Anglo-Eastern, Synergy, Atlantas Ship Management, and BAR Technologies—focused on the safe, efficient, and scalable integration of innovative wind propulsion technologies into global shipping operations.
Insights from Industry Pioneers
Laurent Cadji, Managing Director of Union Maritime, reflected on this landmark achievement “The maiden voyage of Brands Hatch represents a proud moment for Union Maritime and affirms our leadership in advancing sustainable maritime solutions. The early operational data validate the real-world benefits of wind-assisted propulsion, demonstrating both environmental and commercial value at scale. Our partnership with BAR Technologies is central to this mission, setting new standards for efficiency, regulatory compliance, and corporate responsibility within the industry.”
John Cooper, CEO of BAR Technologies, added “The arrival of Brands Hatch in Europe is a defining moment for wind propulsion and maritime decarbonisation. This is the first vessel purpose-built with WindWings® to complete a full ocean voyage, proving the readiness of wind technology for widespread commercial adoption. The success of this project is a testament to the strong collaboration between BAR Technologies, Union Maritime, and their partners.
WindWings® are no longer just a visionary concept—they are delivering tangible, scalable solutions to reduce emissions in shipping.
Union Maritime is a leading provider of smart shipping solutions, specialising in the transportation of crude oil, chemicals, and refined petroleum products. Operating a modern fleet of over 100 vessels, Union Maritime serves key global trade routes, combining operational excellence with industry-leading decarbonisation efforts to define the future of sustainable shipping.
BAR Technologies’ patented three-element WindWings® deliver 2.5 times the lift of conventional single-element wings. Unlike other wind propulsion systems, WindWings® operate without the need for continuous power for suction fans or mechanical spinning. Their automatic camber and angle-of-attack adjustments maximize efficiency across diverse wind speeds and angles. Offering proven fuel savings of 1.5 tonnes per WindWing® per day on typical routes, these 37.5-meter wings lead the wind-assisted propulsion market in performance and scalability.
Originating from Great Britain’s former America’s Cup Team, BAR Technologies is a pioneering design and engineering consultancy focused on next-generation maritime solutions. Their expert team includes world-renowned naval architects, fluid dynamicists, and system engineers dedicated to delivering breakthrough technologies across commercial shipping, workboats, and leisure craft.
