UK company GT Green Technologies (GT), founded in 2021, are wind-assisted ship propulsion (WASP) technology experts offering turn-key wind propulsion system to the maritime industry to significantly reduce fuel consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for retrofit and new-build vessels. In collaboration with The University of Bath (UoB) and end-user Carisbrooke Shipping. This project will advance the self-learning control system from the previous Smart Shipping project 10128007 Self-Learning Wing Trim Optimisation for Airwing Wind Propulsion System; Integrate weather routing software using AirWing polar data, and automate propeller pitch adjustments to maintain safe vessel speed when AirWing is active. AirWing is a rigid wing sail which utilises patented boundary layer control manipulation to achieve larger thrust output than current state-of-the-art WASP systems, for a smaller stowed deck footprint. The technology enables vessels with limited available deck space to carry wind- powered solutions for the first time. AirWing's superior performance relies on innovative airflow manipulation around the wing, achieved by controlling internal fan power, angle-of-attack, and wing camber. Implementing an adaptive control system to optimise trim for real-time wind conditions could abate ~750k MtCO2 per annum from AirWing installations by 2035 based on our conservative sales assumptions. Further improvements are possible with Reinforcement Learning, which adapts to current conditions and predicts changes. This project builds on a successful CMDC4 demonstration of AirWing's maximised thrust system. The consortium will explore system modelling and adaptive, reinforced learning control, paving the way for deployment on the first AirWing unit, recently installed on a 130-metre UK-owned cargo vessel operated by Carisbrooke Shipping. A multidisciplinary team---including GT's engineering team (lead), University of Bath experts, and Carisbrooke Shipping---will ensure real-world relevance and end-user engagement. Bureau Veritas UK (BV) and the DfT will also participate to ensure compliance with AI regulations for vessels. By leveraging Reinforcement Learning (RL) trim control, the project aims to drive job creation and economic growth in the UK maritime sector, fostering partnerships with AI experts, vessel owners, operators, and supply chains. This collaboration will advance sustainable shipping technologies, significantly cutting greenhouse gas emissions and improving air quality. A detailed, costed plan will be prepared for deployment on a Carisbrooke vessel in 2025, followed by commercialisation of future AirWing installations. The plan will outline technical approaches, objectives, business case, emissions reductions, economic impact, and target market segments.

UK company GT Green Technologies (GT), founded in 2021, are wind propulsion experts offering tailored turn-key engineering solutions to the maritime industry to significantly reduce fuel consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for retrofit and newbuild vessels. In collaboration with project partner the University of Bath and end-user Carisbrooke Shipping, this 5-month project will investigate the technical and economic feasibility of integrating self-learning control and AI to precisely optimise wing trim for GT's novel wind propulsion technology, AirWing. AirWing is a rigid wingsail which utilises patented boundary layer control manipulation to achieve larger thrust output than current state-of-the-art, for a smaller stowed deck footprint. The technology enables vessels with limited available deck space to carry wind-powered solutions for the first time. AirWing's superior performance relies on innovative airflow manipulation around the wing, achieved by controlling internal fan power, angle-of-attack, and wing camber. Implementing an adaptive control system to optimise trim for real-time wind conditions could abate ~261k MtCO2 from AirWing installations by 2030 and up to an additional ~3.9million MtCO2 by 2030 through licensing to 40% of the industry. Further improvements are possible with Reinforcement Learning, which adapts to current conditions and predicts changes. This project builds on a successful CMDC4 demonstration of AirWing's maximised thrust system. The consortium will investigate system modelling and adaptive and reinforced learning control, paving the way for deployment on the first AirWing unit, scheduled for installation on a 130-metre UK-owned cargo vessel later this year. A multidisciplinary team will ensure real-world relevance and end-user engagement, including GT's engineering team (lead), experts from the University of Bath, and vessel owner Carisbrooke Shipping. Bureau Veritas UK (BV) and the DfT will also be involved to meet regulations for AI technology on vessels. By leveraging self-learning wing trim control, the project aims to boost job creation and economic growth across the UK maritime industry, fostering partnerships with AI experts, vessel owners, operators, and supply chains. This collaboration will advance sustainable shipping technologies, significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving air quality. A detailed, costed plan will be developed for deployment on a Carisbrooke Shipping vessel in 2025, followed by commercialisation of future AirWing installations. This plan will outline technical approaches, objectives, a business case, quantify emissions reductions, economic impacts, and identify market segments for the technology.

This project focusses on the development, testing, and deployment of a novel maritime Wind Propulsion (WP) system, AirWing - a rigid wingsail which utilises a patented innovation to achieve highly efficient thrust outputs. AirWing acts an auxiliary propulsion system, reducing carbon emissions and fuel costs by 10-30% for retrofits and up to 50% for new build vessels. The project's primary goal is to conduct a real-world demonstration of the AirWing technology on board a UK owned, operated, flagged, and classed 130-metre cargo shipping vessel. This will demonstrate the fuel savings and emissions-reducing capabilities of AirWing, whilst showcasing the UK as a global leader in design and manufacturing of clean maritime technology and accelerate the transition to zero emission shipping. To ensure the project's success, a multidisciplinary team of experts will be brought together. This will include a design team, manufacturers, vessel integrators, and supply chain specialists. The project will be led by GT Green Technologies (GT) who will leverage their expertise in wind propulsion. GT will be supported by strategic partners who will support design for manufacture and assembly (DFMA) as well as supply chain mapping. GT has obtained an Agreement in Principle (AIP) from Bureau Veritas (BV) , a classification society used to assess the feasibility, compliance, and safety aspects of the project. This AIP ensures that current designs and technical details align with relevant industry standards, regulations, and best practices within the maritime industry. Innovative solutions, such as navigational camera systems will be used to address sightline issues arising from AirWing's design, ensuring regulatory adherence. A detailed plan for commercialising AirWing and scaling up production will be developed. The project aims to validate the reduction in lifecycle emission and potential fuel savings, providing vessel owners with real data to support future investment and boot the UK's economic impact through international orders and exports. Overall, the project's collaboration with industry experts, focus on regulatory compliance, and emphasis on scalability make AirWing a promising initiative for advancing clean maritime technology within the UK.

The proposed project seeks to develop the manufacturing process and standards for a novel wind propulsion system (AirWing(tm)) for manufacture specifically in the Liverpool region. GT Green Technologies (GT), lead organisation is a Liverpool based company and the project seeks to setup the foundations for a sustainable, safe and resilient manufacturing process within the Liverpool region, contributing to net zero and resource efficiency in the shipping industry. AirWing is a novel and unique wind propulsion technology that utilises wind power to reduce the fuel consumption and hence carbon emissions of vessels it is fitted to. The device can be retrofit or fitted to newbuild vessels to reduce their reliance on fossil fuels. The device can be used in combination with alternative fuels to produce a zero emission vessel with much reduced operational costs. The project aligns with the competitions aim of supporting outstanding innovation projects lead by business that contribute to a sustainable, safe, advanced, agile and resilient manufacturing sector. The project will help address Liverpool's Freeport net zero objectives . The project will also establish a net zero and resource efficient supply chain and manufacturing process through development of manufacturing processes and supply chain in the Liverpool region focused on these topics. By developing manufacturing links in the Liverpool innovation cluster, the project will grow the regions expertise in advanced manufacturing and materials. It will enhance Liverpool's reputation as a hub for innovation and attract new investments and business to the region. The project will also create new job opportunities and drive economic growth by fostering collaboration between local businesses, universities and research institutions. This aligns with the finding competition goals of contributing to growing these particular areas in the cluster. Moreover, by developing a novel wind propulsion systems manufacturing capability in the Liverpool region, the project will contribute to the wider ESG and political challenges faced by the shipping industry. The shipping industry accounts for up to 3% global CO2 emissions and the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has set ambitious targets for reducing these emissions. The proposed project will help to address incoming regulations related to environmental sustainability and contribute to mitigating the impacts of climate change. This aligns with the funding competitions requirements to contribute to one of the sectors major strategic imperatives.

This project will undertake a technical and economic feasibility study into the demonstration of Green Technologies's Wingsail- a fixed sail wind propulsion system providing auxiliary power to a range of ship types from small 20m vessels to large cargo carriers. GT's Wingsails can reduce carbon emissions and fuel costs by 10-30% for retrofit vessels and up to 50% for new build vessels. The feasibility study will: * Undertake a market assessment to accurately determine the global greenhouse gas reduction potential of wingsail, developing a performance tool to support assessments for specific vessels. * Create a detailed and costed plan for demonstration on-vessel, planning for first prototype demonstration on a 100m vessel. * Assess the manufacturing and supply chain (for both a prototype unit and for production), to assess and demonstrate the potential for significant value to the UK. This would be done though redesign of the wing sail for manufacture, and exploration of a breakdown of the wing sail structure and components into subsystems to allow efficient export. * Developing a clear strategy for commercialising the technology to assure ship owners that any barriers to adoption can be overcome, including regulatory and operational matters. GT Green Technologies lead with over 14 years of combined experience in the commercial wind propulsion industry, providing design expertise. MTC, part of the High value Manufacturing Catapult with an established track record in delivering manufacturing and supply chain research projects, would develop the design for manufacture and development of UK supply chain. The project is supported by an advisory panel including end users, manufacturers, and technology providers.