As reported by the American Journal of Transportation, GT Wings, a leading UK-based wind propulsion company, has received a £225,000 grant from the UK Department for Transport (DfT) through the Smart Shipping Acceleration Fund. This funding will drive forward GT Wings’ innovative AirWing project, undertaken in partnership with the University of Bath and Carisbrooke Shipping. The AirWing initiative, aimed at transforming maritime wind propulsion, has already gained significant backing, with £4 million in funding secured in previous rounds of the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition.
Smart Shipping Acceleration Fund and UK SHORE Program
The project aligns with the Smart Shipping Acceleration Fund, part of the DfT’s UK Shipping Office for Reducing Emissions (UK SHORE) program. This £206 million initiative aims to decarbonize the UK’s maritime sector by developing groundbreaking green technologies. Delivered by Innovate UK, the program supports sustainable advancements in shipping, positioning the UK as a leader in emissions reduction.
Project Focus and Technology Integration
With the newly awarded funding, GT Wings will implement advanced self-learning control systems to optimize the performance of AirWing in real-time. Over the course of the five-month project, the team will focus on improving the technology’s adaptability to changing wind conditions, with a goal of showcasing both its technical capabilities and economic benefits.
George Thompson, CEO of GT Wings, expressed enthusiasm about the project’s potential to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions in shipping. By embedding AI-driven and self-learning functionalities within AirWing, GT Wings aims to deliver enhanced environmental and operational benefits for shipowners globally.
Collaboration with Leading Experts
The project brings together a consortium including the University of Bath and Carisbrooke Shipping, each contributing specialized expertise. The University of Bath’s role will center on system modeling, adaptive control, and reinforcement learning. Together, the team will ensure the AirWing control technology meets international and regional compliance standards, providing an innovative, robust solution that aligns with stringent environmental regulations.
Dr. Nathan Sell, Associate Professor at the University of Bath, noted the project’s potential for real-world applications, emphasizing the opportunity to leverage advanced control systems for sustainable, net-zero shipping solutions.
Economic and Environmental Impact
Beyond its environmental impact, the AirWing project is expected to drive economic growth and job creation across the UK, fostering partnerships with AI experts, vessel operators, and supply chain stakeholders. The collaboration will also advance the commercialization of AirWing technology, reinforcing the UK’s position at the forefront of green maritime solutions.
Future Deployment and Commercialization
Jonny Gambell of GT Wings highlighted that a detailed and costed plan will be created for deploying the AI-powered AirWing control system on a Carisbrooke Shipping vessel. This strategic move aims to set the stage for broader commercial adoption, supporting the maritime industry’s transition toward sustainable operations and compliance with key environmental standards.
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Source: American Journal of Transportation
