Shipowners should stop treating decarbonisation as a decision that begins only when alternative fuels become widely available, according to BAR Technologies, which argues that technologies already delivering fuel savings deserve greater attention in fleet investment plans.
The company’s comments follow a study by EY Greece that concluded shipping’s path to net zero will require substantial capital and will be influenced by fuel availability, infrastructure, shipyard capacity, access to finance and commercial alignment across the industry.
BAR Technologies agrees that long-term fuel planning remains essential, but says many owners can already reduce fuel consumption through technologies available today. The company argues that wind propulsion should be viewed as an immediate emissions-reduction measure rather than a future option.
Industry adoption has gathered pace. According to the International Windship Association, more than 100 large commercial cargo ships, representing over five million deadweight tonnes, are now equipped with wind propulsion systems. BAR Technologies expects 10 vessels to be operating with 23 WindWings® installations by the end of 2026, delivering combined carbon dioxide savings of around 100 tonnes per day.
John Cooper, CEO of BAR Technologies, said: “Shipping needs to stop treating decarbonisation as something that only begins when future fuels arrive or every detail of the IMO’s Net-Zero Framework is settled. The industry cannot allow the absence of perfect policy certainty to become an excuse for inaction. Proven technologies are available now, and owners can act today.”
BAR Technologies argues that the main barriers have shifted from technology to commercial structures. Under many charter agreements, shipowners finance emissions-reduction equipment while charterers receive much of the benefit through lower fuel consumption. The company also identifies access to competitive green finance as another obstacle, particularly for operators in the bulk, tanker and tramp sectors.
Cooper said: “Wind propulsion has already passed the technology test. Affordable finance, alongside charterparty structures that share the benefits fairly, is what will unlock deployment at scale.”
The discussion moves the decarbonisation debate beyond fuel selection alone. Investment decisions now rest just as much on financing models, commercial contracts and technologies that can deliver measurable emissions reductions during the working life of today’s fleet.
