Freight News, Sea

Union Maritime Adds Wind-assisted LNG Tanker

[ May 11, 2026   //   Gary Burrows ]

Union Maritime has taken delivery of the LR2 tanker Monza, equipped with rigid wind propulsion technology, marking a step toward broader commercial deployment of wind-assisted systems in the tanker segment.

The vessel, fitted with two 37.5-meter WindWings®developed by BAR Technologies, is the third in a newbuild series combining LNG dual-fuel propulsion with wind-assisted sails. The ships are being built by Yangzijiang Shipbuilding, with sail systems supplied by China Marine Equipment Technology.

The delivery signals a shift from one-off installations to repeatable deployment, as shipowners seek near-term emissions reductions amid regulatory uncertainty.

Debate at the International Maritime Organization over carbon pricing and a global net-zero framework has increased pressure on owners to adopt solutions that deliver immediate efficiency gains without relying on future fuels.

Wind-assisted propulsion is gaining traction as a fuel-agnostic option, particularly for operators targeting compliance with regional measures such as FuelEU Maritime while maintaining flexibility on longer-term fuel strategies.

BAR Technologies said its WindWings® system, based on a rigid three-element wing design, can reduce fuel consumption by harnessing wind energy without additional power input. Performance has been demonstrated on earlier vessels, including Pyxis Ocean, with similar gains expected across Union Maritime’s LR2 series.

“It shows wind-assisted propulsion is no longer a concept or a one-off installation; it is being delivered consistently on commercial ships,” said John Cooper, chief executive of BAR Technologies.

Industry participants say integrating wind systems into standard shipbuilding processes will be key to wider adoption, as owners balance compliance requirements with cost and operational flexibility.

For Union Maritime, the Monza delivery reflects a strategy of combining incremental efficiency technologies with alternative fuels, rather than relying on a single decarbonization pathway.

Tags: China Marine Equipment Technology, Union Maritime, Yangzijiang Shipbuilding