The agreement was signed on Tuesday at Gastech 2026 in Bangkok. Image Credit: 

• MoU signed at Gastech 2026 in Bangkok on Tuesday
• HHI forward-accommodation 174,000 cbm design to carry BAR Technologies' rigid wing sails
• KR and the Liberian Registry to assess safety and rule compliance, with AiP to follow if it passes
• BAR says 23 WindWings already in service on 10 bulkers and tankers, saving about 100 mt of CO2 a day

Classification society Korean Register (KR) has signed a memorandum of understanding with HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI), UK wind propulsion firm BAR Technologies, and the Liberian International Ship & Corporate Registry (LISCR) to jointly develop a 174,000 cbm LNG carrier fitted with BAR's WindWings rigid wing sails.

The agreement was signed on Tuesday at Gastech 2026 in Bangkok, the partners said in an emailed press release.

The project centres on an HHI LNG carrier design with the accommodation block moved forward to the bow, which the partners say frees space on the upper deck for the wing sails.

HHI will lead the basic design and design review, while BAR Technologies will supply technical data on the arrangement and specification of the WindWings, structural strength, operating concepts, and expected fuel savings.

KR and LISCR will assess the design's safety and technical suitability against class rules and international requirements, and KR says it will consider granting approval in principle on the strength of that assessment.

"Through this project, we aim to integrate wind-assisted propulsion technology into our forward accommodation LNG carrier design, further enhancing the competitiveness of next-generation, low-emission LNG carriers," said HHI chief technology officer Hong-ryul Ryu.

The two companies first agreed to work together on WindWings deployment in an earlier MoU.

"We already have WindWings deployed across 10 bulkers and tankers, with 23 WindWings collectively saving approximately 100 tonnes of CO2 per day," said BAR Technologies chief executive John Cooper.

"We look forward to extending the application of WindWings to next-generation gas carriers, establishing a robust foundation for safe commercialisation, and providing shipowners with a genuinely attractive environmental solution."

KR chairman and chief executive Yongsok Lee said the society would work closely with the shipyard, technology provider, and flag administration to support the safe adoption of the technology.

"By assessing wind-assisted propulsion for LNG carriers from an early design stage, the partners can help translate the decarbonization challenge into practical opportunities for improved efficiency, future-ready ship designs and competitive advantage, without compromising safety or quality," said LISCR chief executive Alfonso Castillero.

Wind assistance on LNG carriers is no longer theoretical: MOL's Fujin Sailor, fitted with two of its Wind Challenger hard sails, was named at Hanwha Ocean's Geoje yard last week as the first LNG carrier of its kind, and is due for delivery to Chevron at the end of this month.