BAR Technologies, a global leader in wind propulsion and maritime decarbonisation, has joined the International Association of Dry Cargo Shipowners as an Associate Member. The move reflects BAR Technologies’s deepening commitment to industry collaboration, policy engagement and the rapid scaling of clean technology in bulk shipping.

As the sector intensifies efforts to cut emissions, dry cargo shipowners face growing regulatory and environmental pressures. INTERCARGO plays a central role in addressing these challenges through technical advocacy and collective action. BAR Technologies is joining them at a critical time when its WindWings^® technology is gaining global momentum as a commercially proven solution delivering zero-emission thrust from wind propulsion for the dry bulk fleet.

BAR Technologies’ WindWings^®, based on its patented three-element rigid wing design, delivers best-in-class aerodynamic thrust, automatically adapting its geometry in real-time to the apparent wind. The wings have already been retrofitted onto large bulk carriers, including Pyxis Ocean (Kamsarmax owned by MC Shipping and chartered by Cargill) and Berge Olympus (Newcastlemax owned by Berge Bulk and chartered by Vale) and have been installed on the newbuild Brands Hatch (LR2 tanker owned by Union Maritime Limited) with each wing delivering an average of 1.5tonnes of daily fuel savings. Scalable, fully automated and easily integrated, WindWings^® is emerging as the leading solution for shipowners and charterers aiming to meet the IMO’s 2030 and 2050 climate targets.

A Turning Point for Regulation and Real-World Wind Deployment

BAR Technologies’ membership comes as maritime regulations become increasingly stringent globally. In the European Union, the FuelEU Maritime Regulation has introduced a Wind Reward Factor (WRF), allowing vessels equipped with wind propulsion systems to reduce their reported emissions intensity by up to 5% simply by installing them. Rigid wing systems, where WindWings® stand out for their high thrust, offer clear advantages over those systems that require continuous powering for spinning (flettner rotors) or suction fans (turbo sails).

The company’s deployment on Brands Hatch, the world’s first newbuild tanker fitted with WindWings®, is expected to deliver a 30% improvement in emissions performance compared to comparable modern vessels, saving around 1,300 tonnes of fuel and more than 4,000 tonnes of CO2 annually. That success has been followed by confirmed installations on two new LR2 dual-fuel tankers, which are due to launch in 2027, well ahead of key IMO milestones.

John Cooper, CEO of BAR Technologies, said: “Joining INTERCARGO is more than a symbolic step; it’s a practical move to ensure that real-world, deployable technologies, specifically rigid wind propulsion systems led by WindWings®, have a voice in the industry’s most critical conversations. Dry bulk shipping is uniquely positioned to lead the charge on maritime decarbonisation.

At BAR Technologies, we’re proud to offer the tools, data, and engineering expertise to help drive this transition. We look forward to working alongside INTERCARGO members to share operational insights and enable data-led decisions that accelerate change. The challenge now is clear: we must move from ambition to action and bring proven solutions to scale.”

He added, “This partnership is about momentum. By engaging with like-minded leaders, we can support the technical readiness and regulatory alignment needed to turn decarbonisation from a goal into an industry standard.”

As an Associate Member of INTERCARGO, BAR Technologies will actively contribute to the organisation’s mission of safe, efficient, and environmentally sound dry cargo shipping, offering technical insights across wind propulsion, hull optimisation, and aerodynamic superstructures, including its AeroBridge® system.