PORTSMOUTH, UK – 29 July 2025 — BAR Technologies, a global leader in wind propulsion and maritime decarbonisation solutions, has announced its formal admission as an Associate Member of the International Association of Dry Cargo Shipowners (INTERCARGO). This strategic move underscores BAR Technologies’ firm commitment to fostering industry-wide collaboration, shaping progressive policy, and accelerating the widespread adoption of clean technologies within the dry bulk shipping sector.
The maritime industry is currently navigating an unprecedented era of intensifying regulatory and environmental pressures, particularly concerning emissions reduction. In this critical landscape, INTERCARGO serves as a pivotal voice, advocating for technical advancements and collective action. BAR Technologies joins INTERCARGO at a crucial juncture, as its groundbreaking WindWings® technology continues to gain global traction as a commercially proven solution, delivering substantial zero-emission thrust through wind propulsion for the dry bulk fleet.
BAR Technologies’ patented WindWings®, distinguished by their innovative three-element rigid wing design, are engineered to deliver best-in-class aerodynamic thrust. These highly advanced wings automatically adapt their geometry in real-time to the apparent wind, maximizing efficiency. Their efficacy has been robustly demonstrated through successful retrofits on prominent bulk carriers, including the Kamsarmax Pyxis Ocean (owned by MC Shipping and chartered by Cargill) and the Newcastlemax Berge Olympus (owned by Berge Bulk and chartered by Vale). Furthermore, WindWings® have been successfully integrated onto the newbuild LR2 tanker Brands Hatch (owned by Union Maritime Limited), with each wing contributing an average of 1.5 tonnes of daily fuel savings. Scalable, fully automated, and seamlessly integrable, WindWings® are rapidly emerging as a leading solution for shipowners and charterers striving to meet the ambitious IMO 2030 and 2050 climate targets.
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A Turning Point for Regulation and Real-World Wind Deployment
BAR Technologies’ membership in INTERCARGO coincides with an era of increasingly stringent global maritime regulations. A notable development is the European Union’s FuelEU Maritime Regulation, which introduces a tangible “Wind Reward Factor (WRF).” This allows vessels equipped with wind propulsion systems to reduce their reported emissions intensity by up to 5% simply through installation. Rigid wing systems, where WindWings® stand out due to their superior thrust generation, offer distinct advantages over systems that require continuous power for spinning (such as flettner rotors) or suction fans (turbo sails). The WRF specifically incentivizes highly efficient wind-assisted propulsion, recognizing the substantial contribution of technologies like WindWings®.
The successful deployment of WindWings® on Brands Hatch, the world’s first newbuild tanker to feature this technology, is projected to achieve a remarkable 30% improvement in emissions performance compared to comparable modern vessels. This translates to an annual saving of approximately 1,300 tonnes of fuel and over 4,000 tonnes of CO2. Building on this success, confirmed installations are underway for two new LR2 dual-fuel tankers, slated for launch in 2027, well in advance of key IMO milestones. Each of the two 37.5m WindWings units on these new tankers is projected to deliver an average of 3 tonnes of daily fuel savings, leading to annual CO₂ reductions of approximately 2,300 tonnes per tanker.
John Cooper, CEO of BAR Technologies, commented: “Joining INTERCARGO is more than a symbolic step; it’s a practical move to ensure that real-world, deployable technologies, specifically rigid wind propulsion systems led by WindWings®, have a voice in the industry’s most critical conversations. Dry bulk shipping is uniquely positioned to lead the charge on maritime decarbonisation. At BAR Technologies, we’re proud to offer the tools, data, and engineering expertise to help drive this transition. We look forward to working alongside INTERCARGO members to share operational insights and enable data-led decisions that accelerate change. The challenge now is clear: we must move from ambition to action and bring proven solutions to scale.“
He added, “This partnership is about momentum. By engaging with like-minded leaders, we can support the technical readiness and regulatory alignment needed to turn decarbonisation from a goal into an industry standard.“
As an Associate Member of INTERCARGO, BAR Technologies will actively contribute to the organization’s overarching mission of promoting safe, efficient, and environmentally sound dry cargo shipping. The company will provide invaluable technical insights across various domains, including wind propulsion, advanced hydrodynamic hull optimisation, and innovative aerodynamic superstructures, such as its pioneering AeroBridge® system.
About BAR Technologies
With an impressive heritage, having spun out of Great Britain’s former America’s Cup Team, BAR Technologies provides a wide range of design and engineering consultancy services across commercial ships, workboats, leisure boats, and engineered solutions. The company boasts a team of world-leading naval architects, optimisation specialists, fluid dynamists, and system engineers, all focused on delivering next-generation maritime technology that redefines efficiency and sustainability.
Key BAR Technologies Solutions:
- WindWings®: BAR Technologies’ patented three-element wing design is unique in the marketplace, delivering 2.5 times the lift of a single-element wing. Unlike conventional wind-assisted propulsion systems, WindWings® require no continuous power for suction fans or mechanical spinning. They automatically adjust camber and angle of attack for optimised efficiency, offering a proven, scalable, and highly efficient solution for emissions reduction.
- AeroBridge®: The AeroBridge® represents a paradigm shift in the design of superstructures for commercial ships. Through extensive computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modelling and generative design processes, it offers significant fuel savings and emissions reductions via greatly improved aerodynamics. The first vessel to be fitted with this revolutionary technology is scheduled to be launched in 2027.
- Hydrodynamic Hull Optimisation: Leveraging advanced computational fluid dynamics and performance modelling, BAR Technologies’ design solutions enhance hull efficiency across a diverse range of vessel types – from offshore workboats to high-speed ferries and commercial ships. This results in significant reductions in fuel consumption and a lower environmental impact, often achieving 10-15% efficiency gains.
- FOSS (Foil Optimised Stability System): An advanced hydrofoil solution specifically designed for high-speed vessels. FOSS integrates active hydrofoils with intelligent control software to maintain optimal vessel state, thereby enhancing fuel efficiency, improving passenger comfort, and boosting performance, especially in challenging rough sea conditions. This system is suitable for both leisure and commercial vessels and can be retrofitted.
- Fully Foiling Vessel Design: From advanced hydrofoil design and manufacture, and real-time control algorithms to full electrification and high-voltage systems integration, BAR Technologies delivers the complete expertise required to enable true “flight over water,” offering drastic drag reduction, incredible high speeds, and exceptional performance.
Source BAR Technologies