Union Maritime leans in to wind-assisted propulsion with latest orders

UML has contracted to build at least a half dozen new tanker vessels with contracts going to two suppliers for wind-based propulsion to assist with the vessels’ main propulsion systems.

The company’s latest deal includes supply contracts for four newbuild ships fitted with rotor sails, to be constructed in China at Fujian Southeast Shipbuilding and at Wuhu Shipyard Co. 
Each of the four 18,500-dwt chemical tankers, designed by Shanghai Odely Marine Engineering Co, will be fitted with two sails, supplied by wind-assisted propulsion specialist Norsepower using a proprietary explosion-protection design. 
The ships are specifically designed for navigation through the St Lawrence Seaway and Great Lakes systems of Canada and the US, with an air draft limited to 35.5 m, according to charterer requirements. 
Norsepower chief executive Heikki Pöntynen said, "With this deal, we will be fitting eight rotor sails on four vessels in the short term, with an additional orderbook of eight sister ships to be prepared with foundations for later retrofit."

The deal marks the second Norsepower order supplied in accordance with Bureau Veritas class notation, and the first under the classification society’s latest, updated rules for wind propulsion systems. Last week, Louis Dreyfus group announced it was installing Norsepower wind-assisted propulsion technology aboard three new roro vessels. All of the sail systems will be manufactured and assembled at Norsepower’s factory in Dafeng, China. 

UML has also agreed to build two LNG dual-fuel long-range (LR2) tankers at China’s Jiangsu New Yangzi Shipbuilding with BAR Technologies’ WindWings wind-assisted propulsion technology. Marine Design & Research Institute of China designed the vessels, each of which will support two WindWings.

BAR Technologies has licensed the production of WindWings to CM Energy in China and two shipsets are scheduled to be delivered in Q2 and Q3 2025, respectively.

The WindWings units each consist of a three-element rigid wing that automatically adjusts its shape to suit prevailing wind conditions. The systems have been trialled on board large bulkers to demonstrate effectiveness in reducing fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. BAR Technologies claims the technology can help save 1.5 tonnes of fuel and 4.7 tonnes of CO2 per wing per day on typical global routes. 

UML managing director Laurent Cadji said, “Having demonstrated significant efficiency gains on vessels already equipped with WindWings, we look forward to the successful installation and operation on our newly built LR2s at New Yangzi Shipbuilding.” 

Union Maritime has, to date, committed to wind-assisted technology installations on 34 vessels in total, including 14 LR2 tankers, 12 chemical tankers and eight MRs. Smaller vessels will feature Norsepower’s rotor sails while BAR Technologies’ WindWings will be installed on the larger ships.