GT Wings secures funding for wind propulsion system

The grant will support a pioneering project to further develop GT Wings’ AirWing technology in collaboration with the University of Bath and Carisbrooke Shipping.

The AirWing, a rigid wingsail designed to reduce fuel consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the maritime sector, will benefit from this additional funding aimed at advancing its self-learning control systems. These enhancements will optimise the AirWing’s performance in real-time, allowing it to better adapt to changing wind conditions, and improving both technical and economic viability. The five-month project is expected to culminate in the installation of the first AirWing unit on a 130-meter UK-owned cargo vessel later this year.

The grant is part of the UK Department for Transport’s £206 million UK Shipping Office for Reducing Emissions (UK SHORE) programme, which aims to decarbonise the UK’s maritime sector. The Smart Shipping Acceleration Fund (SSAF), managed by Innovate UK, plays a key role in this initiative by supporting cutting-edge technologies such as the AirWing.

GT Wings has already secured £4 million in funding through the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition Rounds 2 and 4 (CMDC2 & CMDC4), which has been crucial in advancing the development of the AirWing. This latest project builds on these earlier successes, pushing the boundaries of wind propulsion technology in the maritime industry.

George Thompson, CEO of GT Wings, expressed his excitement about the project’s potential, stating: “We are thrilled to receive this support from the Department for Transport. This project marks a significant step forward in our mission to drive down greenhouse gas emissions in the maritime sector. By integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) and self-learning capabilities into our AirWing technology, we can deliver even greater environmental and economic benefits to shipowners and operators worldwide.”

Founded in 2021, GT Wings is at the forefront of wind propulsion solutions, offering products that promise to transform fuel efficiency and emissions in the global shipping industry. The AirWing, utilising patented boundary layer control technology, provides superior thrust with minimal deck space, making it an ideal solution for a wide range of vessels, including those with limited space for wind propulsion systems.

The upcoming installation of a 20-metre AirWing unit on Carisbrooke Shipping’s general cargo vessel is a significant milestone in demonstrating the real-world application of this technology.