Union Maritime Takes Delivery of Third WindWings-Equipped LR2 Tanker Monza from Yangzijiang Shipbuilding
Union Maritime has taken delivery of LR2 tanker Monza, built at China's Yangzijiang Shipbuilding, adding the third vessel in its newbuild series equipped with the BAR Technologies WindWings rigid sail system. The two 37.5-metre WindWings installed at the bow and stern feature an automated rigid wing design that adjusts to wind conditions and vessel speed without additional energy input. The vessel will operate under the Marshall Islands flag. The delivery comes as the International Maritime Organization (IMO) debates carbon pricing and the framework of future emissions rules, while shipowners secure compliance pathways that deliver measurable fuel savings today.
Four key actors made statements at the naming ceremony. Zhou Kewei, Deputy General Manager of Yangzijiang Shipbuilding Group, said: "The successful delivery of Monza demonstrates how wind-assisted propulsion can be integrated efficiently across a series of vessels; through close collaboration with BAR Technologies, we are accelerating the industrialisation of low-carbon ship solutions." BAR Technologies CEO John Cooper remarked: "Monza is the third vessel in a series, and that matters — wind-assisted propulsion is no longer a concept or a one-off installation; it is being delivered consistently on commercial ships." Steve Windrim of Lloyd's Register emphasized that the classification process represents "a milestone in embedding wind-assisted propulsion within mainstream shipbuilding." Simon Bonnett, Deputy Commissioner of Maritime Affairs at the Republic of the Marshall Islands Maritime Administrator, noted that as the flag state, the technology contributes to "improving vessel efficiency and reducing emissions from international shipping." Following initial WindWings installations on Pyxis Ocean and Berge Olympus, the system has now moved from concept stage to repeat commercial deployment.
From a supply chain perspective, the delivery is critical along four axes. First, wind-assisted propulsion has transitioned from Pyxis Ocean (Cargill, August 2023) and Berge Olympus pilot installations to series commercial deployment — Union Maritime's late-2024 order has been validated by the third delivery in mid-2026, and the vessel's potential of approximately 1.5 tonnes of fuel and ~5 tonnes of CO₂ saved per wing per day is now a repeatable gain for the sector. Second, under the pressures of IMO MEPC carbon pricing and FuelEU Maritime + EU ETS, pilot technologies are maturing rapidly; on the path to IMO 2030 emissions targets, WindWings + dual-fuel + biofuel combinations have become operational packages. Third, Yangzijiang Shipbuilding, as one of China's largest private shipyards, illustrates how the Chinese yard share is taking on the role of industrialization hub for new technologies — parallel WindWings/rotor sail orders at European and Korean yards are also known. Fourth, the Lloyd's Register classification approval sets a precedent for insurers and charterers to accept innovative technology into standard risk profiles; this could accelerate the creation of dedicated categories for wind-assisted vessels in P&I premiums and BIMCO standard contracts.
Key Takeaways:
1. Union Maritime has taken delivery of LR2 tanker Monza built by Yangzijiang Shipbuilding; the vessel is the third tanker in the WindWings-equipped newbuild series.
2. Two BAR Technologies WindWings rigid sails of 37.5 metres each are installed; the system operates automatically without additional energy input.
3. The vessel will operate under the Marshall Islands flag; Lloyd's Register provided classification approval.
4. WindWings reportedly delivers approximately 1.5 tonnes of fuel and ~5 tonnes of CO₂ savings per wing per day.
5. Following pilot installations on Pyxis Ocean (2023) and Berge Olympus, wind-assisted propulsion has transitioned from one-off installation to repeat commercial deployment.
6. Under IMO MEPC carbon pricing debates + FuelEU Maritime + EU ETS pressures, WindWings + dual-fuel + biofuel combinations have become operational packages.
7. BAR Technologies CEO John Cooper assessed: "wind-assisted propulsion is no longer a concept; it is being delivered consistently on commercial ships."
