Cargill and BAR Technologies have started a strategic project with naval architect Deltamarin to bring BAR Technology’s cutting-edge wind propulsion technology WindWings to commercial shipping. The project will see the large, solid wing sails that measure up to 45 m (148 ft) tall fitted to the decks of bulk cargo ships to harness wind power and reduce CO2 emissions by as much as 30%. The number of wing sails can be tailored to the size of the vessel and the route it will take.
Minnesota-based global food company Cargill says it is working to achieve its purpose of nourishing the world in a safe, responsible, and sustainable way. It combines 154 years of experience with new technologies and insights to serve its customers in more than 125 countries to build a stronger, sustainable future for agriculture.
BAR Technologies based in is a spin-off from Ben Ainslie Racing (BAR), the British team formed by Olympic and World Champion sailor Sir Ben Ainslie. It was formed in 2016 to make the design knowledge, technical skills, and intellectual property developed for America’s Cup yacht racing available for commercial applications. The company is led by Chairman Martin Whitmarsh, former McLaren Team Principal; Chief Executive, John Cooper, former McLaren Chief Business Officer; and Chief Technology Officer Simon Schofield, former America’s Cup designer and engineer.
“Through this partnership we will bring bespoke wind solutions to customers who are actively seeking to reduce CO2 emissions from their supply chain,” said Jan Dieleman, President of Cargill’s Ocean Transportation business. “Changing regulations and uncertainty about future greener marine fuels makes choosing the right vessel to charter with a long-term view complicated. With the WindWings technology, Cargill will be able to offer customers a solution that improves vessel efficiency, independent of the fuel or type of engine used.”
“Wind is a near marginal-cost-free fuel, and the opportunity for reducing emissions, alongside significant efficiency gains in vessel operating costs, is substantial,” added Cooper of BAR Technologies. “We’ve invested in our unique wind sail technology to provide vessel owners and operators with an opportunity to realize these efficiencies.”
The project is currently in the design phase, bringing together a team of companies to deliver the first vessels, which is expected on the water by 2022. The team will share risk and expertise, starting with product tankers before moving to dry bulk vessels.
“Cargill’s endorsement of our technology is a very significant step forward at the forefront of the industry,” added Whitmarsh. “Together we’re putting our words into action, marking this project as a first of its kind. We’re thrilled to be partnering with Cargill to bring this ground-breaking technology to life and look forward to exploring further efficiency opportunities together in future.”
The maritime industry faces a huge challenge to reduce average CO2 emissions by 40% by 2030 and working towards 70% by 2050, compared with 2008 levels. As one of the industry’s largest players, chartering a fleet of more than 600 vessels at one time, Cargill says it recognizes its responsibility to accelerate decarbonization progress. It has brought the necessary vision and scale to convert BAR Technology’s inspiration into measurable efficiency savings.
Cargill has partnered with a number of industry leaders and organizations to drive decarbonization progress, including the Global Maritime Forum and its Getting To Zero Coalition; the Sea Cargo Charter, a recent initiative to cut and track emissions from chartered ships to reduce the maritime industry’s carbon footprint; and the Maersk McKinney Moller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping. Last year, Cargill announced a collaboration with Maersk Tankers and Mitsui & Co. to provide over-the-shelf solutions for maritime actors looking to explore new technologies to reduce their emissions.
