- Brands Hatch to Cut CO₂ Emissions by 3,800 Tonnes Annually.
- Union Maritime Builds World’s Largest Wind-Assisted Fleet.
- WindWings® Provide 30% Efficiency Boost Over 2022 Tankers.
Union Maritime, a top player in smart shipping solutions, has just announced the exciting upcoming delivery of Brands Hatch, a cutting-edge Long Range 2 (LR2) tanker. This impressive vessel will feature three 37.5m WindWings®, designed by BAR Technologies and built by CMET, marking a significant leap forward in sustainable shipping innovation, reports Xinde Marine News.
First Newbuild Tanker to Feature WindWings®
With this delivery, Brands Hatch will be the very first newbuild tanker to incorporate BAR Technologies’ WindWings®, paving the way for broader use of wind-assisted propulsion in the global shipping industry.
Cutting Emissions with Wind-Assisted Propulsion
Thanks to the WindWings technology, the tanker is projected to reduce fuel consumption by approximately 1,200 tonnes per year, resulting in a decrease of over 3,800 tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually. That’s a remarkable 30% boost in efficiency compared to a modern vessel built in 2022 with similar specs.
Leading the Transition to Sustainable Shipping
Union Maritime is taking the lead in rolling out wind-assisted propulsion on a large scale. The arrival of Brands Hatch is a crucial part of the company’s plan, which includes a fleet of 34 wind-assisted ships, with at least 14 of them equipped with WindWings®. Once completed, Union Maritime will boast the largest fleet of wind-assisted vessels in the world.
Regulatory Compliance and Zero-GHG Energy Source
The new Brands Hatch will meet all global sustainability standards through 2030. The WindWings® will enable the vessel to achieve the maximum 5% Wind Reward Factor under the FuelEU Maritime regulation, eliminating the need for alternative fuels. Plus, these wind-assisted sails will be recognised as a zero-GHG energy source, enhancing the vessel’s Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) and ensuring compliance with the IMO’s Greenhouse Gas Fuel Intensity (GFI) standard.
Industry Leadership and Innovation
Laurent Cadji, Managing Director at Union Maritime, emphasised the significance of the project: “The upcoming delivery of Brands Hatch is a powerful example of how Union Maritime is responding to the evolving regulatory landscape by putting smart and sustainable technologies into action. As our first vessel with WindWings®, and with many more to follow, it marks the beginning of a new era for Union Maritime and the global shipping industry as we combine our deep maritime expertise with cutting-edge innovation to drive towards a more efficient and sustainable future.”
John Cooper, CEO of BAR Technologies, added: “This collaboration with Union Maritime represents exactly the kind of industry leadership needed to drive real change. Brands Hatch isn’t just a new vessel; it’s a statement of intent. Together with our manufacturing partner, CMET, we’ve brought together world-class British design and Chinese industrial capability to deliver WindWings® at commercial scale. This is wind-assisted propulsion as it should be – scalable, operational and ready to meet the toughest sustainability challenges the industry faces today.”
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Source: Xinde Marine News
