Tankers Take Flight: WindWings Turn Oil Giants into Oceanic Gliders

For decades, tankers have been synonymous with diesel engines and soot-stained stacks. That era may be approaching a turning point. London-based Union Maritime Ltd has ordered the world’s first series-built tankers equipped not with masts—but with 37.5-meter aerodynamic sails known as WindWings. Soon, oil will be hauled across oceans by ships powered in part by what look like airplane wings.

This isn’t a visual gimmick. Developed by the UK’s BAR Technologies, the WindWings are a serious piece of engineering. Based on aircraft wing profiles, each consists of two articulated segments that adjust to wind direction, generating lift and easing the load on the ship’s main engines. The payoff? Up to three tons of fuel saved per day. Per ship. That’s around 2,300 fewer tonnes of CO₂ annually.

The first two 250-meter vessels—Suzuka and Long Beach—are being built at China’s Xiamen shipyard, with design led by Shanghai-based SDARI. Steel cutting begins in November 2025, and the “winged” giants are expected to hit the water by early 2027.

But WindWings won’t act alone. These vessels will feature hybrid propulsion systems, combining wind power with both conventional fuels and alternative energy sources. This flexibility ensures reliability while navigating the pressures of the global green transition.

With the International Maritime Organization mandating a 20% cut in global shipping emissions by 2030—and 70% by 2040—the stakes are high. Maritime transport accounts for roughly 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions, so every innovation counts. WindWings’ potential to scale to container ships, dry bulk carriers, and beyond opens the door to a true industrial green revolution.