BAR Technologies' WindWings earns Bureau Veritas approval
UK-based BAR Technologies reports that it has secured Bureau Veritas' Type Approval Design Certificate (TADC) for its cutting-edge 37.5m WindWings®, a globally deployable wind propulsion system now validated for scalable fleet integration. The certification underscores the system's engineering integrity, performance reliability and commercial readiness.
Following an extensive and detailed review by Bureau Veritas, the TADC confirms that WindWings® meets stringent international standards across structural design, material selection, load handling and supporting control systems. This official endorsement offers shipowners and operators the assurance to adopt WindWings® with confidence on BV-classed vessels, whether through retrofit or newbuild programmes.
The 37.5m WindWing® features a patented three-element rigid wingsail configuration that delivers 2.5 times the lift of traditional single-element designs and does not require power for continuous spinning rotors nor suction fans seen in other technologies. With passive boundary layer control and a fail-safe feathering mechanism, each WindWing® saves an average of 1.5t/fuel and 4.7t of CO2 per day on global routes, making it the most impactful and commercially viable wind propulsion technology on the market today.
Union Maritime Ltd (UML) is among the first to integrate WindWings® under BV classification, with multiple vessel installations planned. These projects mark a pivotal moment for the technology's adoption and underscore the increasing enthusiasm within the shipping industry for proven zero-emission solutions.
Yannis Calogeras (pictured), Marine Chief Executive, Bureau Veritas, commented: "Working with BAR Technologies on the WindWings® project has been an exceptional example of what is possible when technical rigour meets innovative ambition. This certification reflects not only the integrity of the technology but also our shared commitment to a more sustainable maritime future."
This approval follows BAR Technologies' earlier TADC award from DNV, placing WindWings® among the few wind-assisted propulsion solutions certified by more than one IACS-class society. It confirms WindWings®' readiness for widespread deployment, with a clear route now open across two major classification frameworks with many more in the pipeline. WindWings(r) will soon be classified by all major classification societies.
"This latest certification is more than a technical tick box. It's a rallying point for the industry," said John Cooper, CEO of BAR Technologies. "WindWings® is now uniquely positioned to deliver measurable emissions reductions at scale. With Bureau Veritas and DNV certification, we're enabling owners and operators to transition from intent to action."