A prototype sailing vessel that aims to bring back wind propulsion to commercial shipping for the first time since the 19th century is developed in Liverpool city region and is set to undergo sea trials. Tony McDonough reports

Steam engines made commercial sailing vessels obsolete by the end of the 19th century but the push for low carbon shipping means they are set to make a comeback.

Now a prototype commercial sailing vessel that has been developed in Liverpool city region is set to undergo sea trials. It could provide a breakthrough for cargo and container shipping firms that are looking to slash their emissions.

GT Wings secured almost £100,000 from Innovate UK’s £2.1m fund to drive innovation in the UK regions. Liverpool city region was one of only two areas chosen to pilot  this Launchpad programme.

A2O Manufacturing, a joint venture between A|2|O Technology Group and Axentia Group based at Sci-Tech Daresbury, was tasked by GT Wings with helping it to develop the prototype AirWing vessel.

It supported GT Wings through design and manufacture of the 20-metre AirWing using steel and composite materials, all sustainably manufactured in the UK.

AirWing will undergo trials later this year. The pilot route will take the vessel across the Atlantic to the Canadian Great Lakes, where A2O Manufacturing will be present to celebrate the ship’s successful voyage.

A2O Manufacturing and GT Wings’ innovation will showcase how to maximise thrust and reduce fuel consumption through pioneering design, creating a global shift in the way that greenhouse gases are reduced in maritime transport and commercial shipping.

This technology is expected to be widely adopted on ships worldwide. This wind assisted propulsion system will be suited to vessels with restricted deck space and allow them to be powered by wind. 

This includes most of the 23,000 container ships and oil tankers that have more than 10 years of operational life remaining.

Founders of A2O Manufacturing, Dr Chris Berg and Nigel Allman, met on campus at Sci-Tech Daresbury through a mutual colleague. 

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Dr Chris Berg, owner of A|2|O Technology Group, said: “I’ve been at Sci-Tech Daresbury for nearly eight years now, and I can wholeheartedly say that the innovation and collaboration on campus is what made A2O Manufacturing possible. 

“This joint venture between myself and Nigel is testament to the opportunities that are just down the hall here. The AirWing programme alone demonstrates our highly capable supply chain and strong manufacturing expertise.

John Leake, director of business growth at Sci-Tech Daresbury, added: “Great things happen when you bring brilliant minds together, and this collaboration forged between A2O Technology Group and Axentia Group is testament to exactly that.”