UK’s GT Wings readies to debut AirWing technology to accelerate maritime decarbonization

UK’s wind propulsion technology provider GT Wings, in collaboration with shipping company Carisbrooke Shipping, University of Bristol, and supported by Innovate UK and the UK Department for Transport, has announced the launch of the AirWing propulsion system.

The technology, backed by £3.7 million in funding through the UK Government’s Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition Round 4 (CMDC4), aims to reduce emissions in the maritime sector by up to 30%.

According to GT Wings, the project is set to transform the shipping industry by accelerating the transition to sustainable maritime transport.

The first AirWing will be installed on a Carisbrooke Shipping 120-meter-long general cargo vessel before commencing sea trials in 2025. This first installation will demonstrate the technology’s real-world impact. The solution is being assembled at the MMS Docks in Hull.

To celebrate this milestone, GT Wings will host an exclusive launch event in London in May 2025, bringing together key stakeholders, policymakers, investors, and innovators.

“We are thrilled to bring the AirWing system to market in a record timeframe. We believe that AirWing represents a game-changing wind propulsion technology, maximising thrust and fuel savings from the smallest possible unit size. We are proud to be working alongside Carisbrooke Shipping and University of Bristol to bring this technology to life,” George Thompson, CEO and Founder of GT Wings, said.

“We are proud to be working alongside GT Wings as a project partner with this innovative prototype. Decarbonisation of the marine environment takes centre stage at Carisbrooke Shipping. The installation of our first AirWing will have a significant impact ensuring we maintain our efficiency in reducing our emissions, cutting fuel costs and compliance with strict new emissions regulations well into the future,” Simon Merritt, Senior Fleet Manager, Carisbrooke Shipping, commented.

“We are excited to be part of the AirWing consortium working towards a new Age of Sail. This collaboration between industry and academia exemplifies the innovative, multidisciplinary, and audacious spirit needed to achieve a more sustainable future,” Tobias Laux, Senior Research Associate, University of Bristol, noted.

“At KAP, we are proud to be part of this transformative project. Our goal is to connect innovative solutions like AirWing with the right stakeholders, ensuring that these technologies not only make an impact but also drive meaningful partnerships toward a sustainable maritime future,” Mohamad Kantar, Co-founder, KAP, pointed out.

A month ago, GT Wings closed over £1 million (about $1.3 million) in new equity that would enable the company to grow its team and further develop its wingsail solution.

As informed, the equity round brought GT Wings’ total funding secured in 2024 to over £6 million across grant and equity sources, strengthening the company’s balance sheet and providing the capital to execute on the ‘significant’ opportunity ahead in the high-growth wind propulsion market.

On January 16, 2025, the UK launched the latest round of the CMDC6, committing to allocate £30 million of new decarbonisation funding to innovative projects.

“This new £30m [CMDC6] investment is part of our Plan for Change – growing the economy and making Britain a Clean Energy Superpower. I’m proud to see this funding boost growth and create jobs throughout the UK, as well as ushering in an era of zero-emission shipping,” Mike Kane, Maritime Minister, highlighted.

On this occasion, the Maritime Minister visited Hull on January 15 to see how the city has benefited from £3.7 million of CMDC funding through one of the programme’s flagship projects, GT Wings’ AirWing.

It was great to join GT Wings in Hull to see their fantastic new propulsion system, and to see how they’re driving economic growth and supporting jobs in the region,” Mike Kane, Maritime Minister, highlighted.

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