HD Hyundai, BAR Technologies Team Up on Wind-Assisted Propulsion Maritime Activity Reports, Inc. June 2, 2026 L to R: John Cooper, CEO of BAR Technologies and Hongryeul Ryu, Senior Executive Vice President and CTO of HHI (Credit: HHI) HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) and BAR Technologies have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to establish a strategic partnership focused on technical collaboration and commercial opportunities for the integration of WindWings wind-assisted propulsion systems. The agreement establishes a joint engineering approach at the vessel design stage, with the companies collaborating on integrating the WindWings control system with HHI’s vessel control systems and developing performance verification methodologies to support wider commercial deployment. The companies said the collaboration is intended to support the expansion of wind-assisted propulsion across a broader range of vessel segments, including gas carriers, as shipowners seek solutions to improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions. According to the companies, the partnership builds on existing WindWings installations on both retrofit and newbuild vessels and aims to create a more standardized pathway for adoption within the shipbuilding sector. HHI, which has delivered more than 5,000 vessels to owners in over 60 countries, said the collaboration reflects confidence in the performance and reliability of the WindWings rigid wing sail design and its potential role in reducing fuel consumption and emissions. The MoU has an initial term of three years, and is designed to move wind propulsion further into vessel design and broaden its use across additional vessel categories. “Through this commercial and technical collaboration with BAR Technologies, and the joint development of WindWings, we aim to support the wider adoption and technical advancement of Wind-Assisted Propulsion Systems as a key element of next-generation maritime transport. “This collaboration goes beyond techn