Union Maritime’s Brands Hatch has just made history—and not just because it’s the first newbuild tanker to sail with BAR Technologies’ WindWings®. This isn’t a one-off experiment. It’s a proof point: wind propulsion isn’t just viable at scale, it’s already outperforming expectations.
The numbers speak for themselves. In favourable conditions, Brands Hatch pulled more than a third of its propulsion from wind alone—fully laden, in real-world conditions. That’s not just a peak performance stat; it’s a baseline for what’s possible. Over a 24-hour period, the vessel’s three WindWings® replaced 12.8 tonnes of fuel, avoiding 13 tonnes of CO2 per wing per day. For six hours straight, peak performance hit 18 tonnes of fuel saved daily. This isn’t theoretical. It’s the kind of efficiency that could reshape how we think about wind-assisted propulsion.
But here’s the real kicker: Union Maritime didn’t just slap wings on a tanker and call it a day. They built a full ecosystem around it. By integrating sail-aware weather routing from Ascenz Marorka, they’re squeezing even more efficiency out of every voyage. This isn’t just about cutting emissions—it’s about smarter operations, better fuel savings, and a clear path to compliance well into the 2030s.
The collaboration behind this doesn’t just underscore the potential of WindWings®—it highlights a broader shift in the industry. Union Maritime, BAR Technologies, and their partners didn’t just build a ship; they built a blueprint. Project AeroPower isn’t just about introducing wind propulsion—it’s about making sure it works seamlessly, safely, and at scale.
Laurent Cadji of Union Maritime put it bluntly: “This milestone voyage with Brands Hatch is a proud moment for Union Maritime and a clear demonstration of our leadership in bringing innovative, sustainable solutions to global shipping.” And John Cooper of BAR Technologies didn’t mince words either: “The arrival of Brands Hatch in Europe really is a landmark moment, not just for us, but for everyone committed to driving maritime sustainability forward through wind propulsion.”
This isn’t just a tech demo. It’s a turning point. If wind propulsion can deliver these kinds of results on a commercial vessel, the question isn’t whether it’s ready for prime time—it’s when the rest of the industry will catch up.