A consortium of UK companies, led by GT Wings, has successfully completed an Innovate UK Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition (Round 6) project that combined reinforcement learning, a five-layer digital twin and real-world vessel data to maximise performance of GT Wings’ AirWing™ Jet Sail technology.

The initiative aimed to advance compact, high-performance wind propulsion – pairing AirWing™ hardware with self-learning AI control and weather routing. By integrating advanced control with modern voyage optimisation, the consortium partners set out to deliver a practical solution for adoption at scale across the commercial fleet – helping operators to reduce fuel consumption, emissions and exposure to tightening regulations.

Project overview and focus

The overarching project goal was to accelerate the adoption of wind-assisted propulsion in shipping, supporting UK maritime growth and helping the sector move towards net zero. The programme brought together GT Wings, the University of Bath, Carisbrooke Shipping, Datum Electronics and Global Ocean Data Services (OCEATA) to maximise AirWing™ fuel savings on a working commercial vessel (MV Vectis Progress).

Wind-assisted propulsion systems offer a practical near-term route to cutting fuel use in commercial shipping, but real savings depend on controlling these systems in changing wind, waves and operating constraints. GT Wings’ AirWing™ is a Jet Sail with an articulated flap and active boundary-layer control (internal fans that blow air over the surface), enabling higher lift and delayed stall. That enhanced capability also makes control more complex: wing angle, flap angle and fan power must work together for optimal performance gains.

The commercial focus of the project spanned both retrofits and new-build vessels. Regulatory pressure is a key driver to adoption: tightening IMO and EU emissions rules are pushing operators to combine operational measures with onboard technologies that can deliver verified reductions in fuel burn and greenhouse-gas output.

Technical approach and innovation

Central to the scope of work was a control stack designed to make wind propulsion predictable, optimised and easy to operate. The teams developed digital-twin models, blending aerodynamic understanding with real sailing data, to design and test control strategies before they reached the vessel.

Wind-tunnel testing at the University of Bath’s bespoke mechanical engineering facility was then used to validate assumptions and tune the models, reducing risk when moving from simulation to sea trials.

The programme applied reinforcement learning to adapt wing trim control in changing conditions to extract more thrust with less crew intervention. Improving thrust output whilst reducing deck footprint was another design focus, one that is particularly important for smaller ships and retrofits where deck space is limited.

Market and commercialisation

If deployed at scale, AI-optimised wind assistance offers a direct route to lower fuel consumption and materially reduced emissions, aligning with UK and global Net Zero ambitions, as well as building a clearer route to certifiable maritime AI. For operators, the benefits extend beyond decarbonisation; reduced fuel burn can lower operating costs and help mitigate the financial impact of emissions-related tariffs and compliance mechanisms.

The project positions the UK to lead in a rapidly expanding maritime clean-tech segment. By combining compact wind-assisted propulsion hardware with self-learning control and voyage optimisation, GT Wings can deliver near-term fuel and emissions savings technology that shipowners can adopt with confidence – while also helping to establish the UK as a leader in sustainable maritime technology.

About CMDC Round 6
The Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition (CMDC) is a key component of the UK SHORE programme. Funded by the Department for Transport, CMDC6 invests in innovative feasibility studies, pre-deployment trials, and smart shipping technologies. The competition aims to transform the UK into a global leader in clean maritime technology, boosting high-skilled jobs, economic growth, and regional prosperity across all four nations.

About UK SHORE
The UK Shipping Office for Reducing Emissions (UK SHORE) is a division within the Department for Transport (DfT). Launched in March 2022, UK SHORE is dedicated to decarbonising the UK commercial maritime sector. By delivering a suite of targeted interventions, it accelerates the design, manufacture, and operation of UK-made clean maritime technologies to unlock an industry-led transition to Net Zero by 2050.

About Innovate UK
Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), drives productivity and economic growth by supporting businesses to develop and realise the potential of new ideas. We connect businesses to the partners, customers, and investors that can help them turn ideas into commercially successful products and services. Innovate UK is the official delivery partner for CMDC6.