Two new dual-fuel LNG tankers being built for Union Maritime have become the first vessels of their kind to receive SOLAS approval for WindWings® wind-assisted propulsion technology, marking a step forward in compliance and design integration.
The approval, granted by the Republic of the Marshall Islands Maritime Administrator and reviewed by Lloyd’s Register, covers bridge visibility, navigational lights, and radar line of sight. It clears the way for Union Maritime’s LR2 tankers, under construction at Yangzjhiang Shipbuilding and due for delivery in early 2026, to operate with full compliance while incorporating the wind-powered systems.
Collaboration Through Project AeroPower
The achievement stems from Project AeroPower, a collaborative effort between BAR Technologies, Union Maritime, and industry stakeholders aimed at building a framework for the broader adoption of wind-assisted propulsion. By addressing compliance with safety and operational regulations at the design stage, the project has laid the groundwork for expanding the technology to other vessel types.
Lukasz Brzoska, Head of Ocean-Going Vessels at BAR Technologies, emphasized the alignment between regulatory compliance and technology adoption: “Securing this approval demonstrates that regulatory compliance and WindWings® technology adoption is progressing together at pace.”
Laurent Cadji, Managing Director at Union Maritime, highlighted the milestone as a continuation of the company’s strategy: “Building on the proven success of Brands Hatch, this approval represents a landmark step as we integrate WindWings® with dual-fuel LNG propulsion in our next generation of tankers.”
Regulatory Endorsement
The Republic of the Marshall Islands noted its close cooperation with Lloyd’s Register in granting the approval. David Wamsley, Deputy Commissioner of Maritime Affairs, said the process demonstrated how advanced propulsion systems can be incorporated while maintaining safety and compliance standards.
From the class perspective, Dr Santiago Suarez de la Fuente, Ship Performance Manager at Lloyd’s Register, underscored the importance of safe integration of both LNG and WindWings® technologies in reducing emissions.
Proven Results at Sea
The decision builds on the operational record of Union Maritime’s Brands Hatch, the world’s first newbuild tanker equipped with WindWings®. During her maiden voyage, the vessel replaced more than 12.8 tonnes of fuel in a single day under favorable wind conditions, cutting roughly 40 tonnes of CO2 emissions.
Extending the technology to larger LNG-fueled tankers shows how efficiency systems can work in combination to support decarbonisation strategies while meeting IMO, EU ETS, and FuelEU Maritime requirements, alongside growing commercial demand for verifiable reductions.
