BAR Technologies Brings WindWings to Tankers Suzuka and Long Beach

BAR Technologies has secured an order to equip two new LR2 dual-fuel tankers, Suzuka and Long Beach, with its WindWings wind propulsion system. This marks one of the first large-scale applications of wind propulsion for this vessel class. The 250m tankers, designed by SDARI and built by Xiamen Shipbuilding Industry, will each feature two 37,5 m WindWings, anticipated to significantly reduce fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions.

Each WindWings set is expected to save approximately 3 tonnes of fuel daily, resulting in an annual CO₂ reduction of about 2 300 tonnes per tanker—equivalent to removing over 500 conventional passenger cars from the road. Construction is set to begin with steel cutting in November 2025, with delivery targeted for Q1 2027. Registered under the Marshall Islands flag and classified by Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore, these tankers will meet IMO’s 2030 emissions targets early.

BAR Technologies CEO John Cooper highlighted that WindWings proves wind propulsion can scale and integrate with dual-fuel systems, aiding decarbonization of energy-intensive vessels. The technology’s success on the UML-operated Brands Hatch paved the way for this project. In May 2025, WindWings received the Bureau Veritas Type Approval Design Certificate, confirming its compliance with international safety and performance standards.