BAR Technologies turns to China for production of WindWings sails
Marine engineering consultancy BAR Technologies (BAR) has formed a partnership with China Merchants Energy Tech to manage and oversee the production of WindWings sails.
According to the company, the agreement with CM Energy Tech will enhance its ability to manufacture enough WindWings to satisfy the growing demand.
“As the shipping industry begins to rapidly respond to new emissions regulations, BAR centred WindWings production on China as an efficient location, recognising the country’s leading position in bulk and large cargo vessel construction,” BAR Technologies explained.
The company also pointed out that Asian shipping firms are increasing their share of future WindWings orders with James Marshall-led Berge Bulk being the most recent adopter of BAR’s technology and the owner of the world’s most powerful sailing cargo ship, already fitted with WindWings technology.
Under the terms of the agreement, CM Energy Tech will manage the value chain of procurement and construction of WindWings and their installation throughout all shipyards in China. It will also manage the servicing of the sail tech during their operational life cycle, alongside running training on the operation of the wing sails for vessel crews.
“[We] recognised we must align our production with the leading nations in global shipping construction. China Merchants Group has many shipyards in their wider group, but this is about manufacturing for all the yards in the region and developing ever closer relationships,” John Cooper, CEO of BAR Technologies, said.
BAR’s agreement with CM Energy Tech supersedes its previous fixed-term partnership with Yara Marine Technologies, with the businesses parting ways after two years of collaboration to bring wind-assisted propulsion solutions to the maritime market.
