Liverpool city region venture GT Wings secures deal with global shipping company Grieg Maritime Group to propel commercial vessels using its wind-powered AirWing technology. Tony McDonough reports

Just weeks after securing a key maritime industry approval, Liverpool city region ‘wind’ venture GT Wings secures deal with global shipping company Grieg Maritime Group.

GT Wings has developed a maritime wind propulsion system called ‘AirWing’, which it claims can cut fuel use and emissions from cargo vessels by up to 30%.

Aircraft wings use air flow to generate lift. GT Wings ‘wings’, once fitted upright to a ship and rising to 20 metres, operate on the same principle but instead use the wind to generate thrust. This allows vessels to reduce power, saving fuel and cutting emissions.

In February LBN revealed Lloyd’s Register, one of the world’s oldest and most respected maritime classification societies, had verified the sea trials performance assessment methodology used by GT Wings, a significant seal of approval.

Now the business has secured a deal with global shipping group Grieg Maritime Group that will see at least two AirWing units installed on vessels within its 29-strong fleet, reinforcing its commitment to energy efficiency and emissions reduction.

Grieg, which dates back to 1884 when it was founded as a shipbroker by Joachim Grieg, has already established a reputation for being an innovator when it comes to sustainable shipping.

READ MORE: Liverpool Airport tops UK league for on-time flights

George Thompson, chief executive of GT Wings, said: “We’re delighted to be working closely with Grieg Maritime Group on this project and supporting their ambitions to lead on sustainable shipping.

“This collaboration marks an important milestone as we move into commercial deployment, continue to validate AirWing at scale, and demonstrate how wind propulsion can be deployed reliably across modern commercial fleets, delivering not only emissions reductions but also reducing exposure to volatile fuel prices.”

GT Wings AirWing system, a rigid wind-assist “jet sail”, will be installed on Star Kirkenes. By harnessing wind power, the technology is expected to significantly reduce fuel consumption.

“While substantial savings are possible, the actual impact is determined by the vessel’s trade pattern,” says technical project manager Marte Waage Haga in Grieg Star.

“Reducing our fuel consumption will always make sense. Our technical team has spent months assessing different wind-assisted propulsion solutions. Upon seeing GT Wings’ technology, they were immediately intrigued.”