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A cargo ship fitted with Cargill and Bar Technologies’ new innovation, Bar Tech WindWings by Yara Marine, has set sail. Pyxis Ocean, chartered by Cargill, is the first vessel to be retrofitted with two WindWings – large wing sails measuring up to 37.5 metres in height that can be fitted to the deck of cargo ships. The wind-powered sails are designed to cut fuel consumption and, consequently, the carbon footprint of shipping.

The WindWings are expected to generate average fuel savings of up to 30% on new build vessels, which could increase significantly if used in combination with alternative fuels. Jan Dieleman, president of Cargill’s Ocean Transportation business, said: “The maritime industry is on a journey to decarbonise – it's not an easy one, but it is an exciting one. At Cargill, we have a responsibility to pioneer decarbonising solutions across all our supply chains to meet our customers’ needs and the needs of the planet.”

The WindWings project, co-funded by the European Union as part of the CHEK (deCarbonising sHipping by Enabling Key technology symbiosis on real vessel concept designs) 'Horizon 2020' initiative, will help the industry meet energy transition targets for existing vessels. On an average global route, WindWings can save 1.5 tonnes of fuel per WindWing per day - with the possibility of saving more on trans-ocean routes. This can translate into vessel owners saving heavy fuel oil at CAD 800 (approx. $591) per tonne. The vessel set sail from Singapore and will sail to Brazil. According to news outlets, the vessel is also likely to transport a cargo of grain to Denmark.