Union Maritime has taken delivery of MT SPA, described by the company as the world’s first LR2 tanker to combine LNG dual-fuel propulsion with wind-assist technology.

The vessel was built by Yangzijiang Shipbuilding Holdings and is fitted with WindWings technology developed by BAR Technologies. Anglo-Eastern was also involved in the project.

MT SPA is the first of two vessels of this specification ordered by Union Maritime from the Chinese shipbuilder as part of its wider newbuild programme.

According to Union Maritime, the tanker has been designed to comply with FuelEU Maritime requirements through 2040. Performance assessments indicate the vessel achieves close to a 50% improvement against the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) baseline and more than a 27% improvement compared with the EEDI Phase 3 requirement.

The company said its long-term fleet strategy focuses on deploying proven and scalable technologies that deliver measurable emissions reductions across its vessels.

FuelEU Maritime entered into force in 2025 and sets progressively tightening limits on the greenhouse gas intensity of energy used by ships calling at EU ports through to 2050.

LR2 tankers typically have a deadweight capacity of 80,000–120,000 tonnes and are commonly used to transport refined petroleum products on long-haul routes.

WindWings are rigid sail systems that can be retrofitted or installed on newbuilds to harness wind power and reduce fuel consumption.