UK-based wind-assisted propulsion developer Smart Green Shipping says it can now guarantee the fuel-saving performance of its FastRig system, after independent validation of real-world sea-trial data by researchers at the University of Southampton. The findings could strengthen the commercial case for wind-assist technology as shipowners seek practical ways to cut fuel consumption and emissions.
The development comes as shipping lines face volatile fuel costs and longer trading routes in several markets. Military tensions affecting Gulf of Oman and Red Sea traffic have forced many vessels to divert around southern Africa, extending voyage distances and increasing fuel demand. In that environment, technologies capable of delivering measurable fuel savings are attracting renewed interest from operators and charterers.
From concept to investable technology
Smart Green Shipping said the FastRig wind-assist propulsion system has been assessed under testing protocols established by the International Towing Tank Conference (ITTC), the global technical organisation that develops standard marine testing methods. The trials compared predicted fuel savings with measurements collected during dedicated sea trials on a chartered merchant vessel.
The resulting analysis means the company can now offer performance warranties and service-based contracts tied to fuel savings. That approach, Smart Green Shipping argues, could remove a long-standing barrier to adoption in an industry where capital investment decisions typically depend on verifiable operational returns.
Deep data from dedicated sea trials
The research programme was conducted by scientists from the University of Southampton using strict testing protocols designed for maritime performance evaluation. Trials were undertaken on a chartered ship equipped with multiple monitoring systems measuring vessel speed, propulsion load and environmental conditions. During the trials, the FastRig wing sail was alternately deployed and stowed every fifteen minutes while the vessel ran repeated test courses in varying wind conditions. The resulting data set enabled direct comparison between predicted and measured fuel savings generated by the system.
“This project represents one of the most comprehensive wind propulsion datasets gathered from dedicated sea-trials and has provided valuable insight into real-world performance, allowing improved predictions going forward,” said Dr Joe Banks, Associate Professor in Maritime Engineering at the University of Southampton. “The strong overall agreement between predicted and measured performance demonstrates that modern modelling tools can reliably quantify real-world savings, enabling commercial decision-making,” he added.
Commercial implications for shipowners
Smart Green Shipping says the validated dataset underpins its “wind-as-a-service” commercial model, which bundles performance forecasting, hardware installation, operations and maintenance with fuel-saving guarantees. The company believes this structure could help shipowners adopt wind-assist propulsion without committing large upfront capital expenditure.
“Shipping works on cold hard numbers,” said Di Gilpin, founder and chief executive at Smart Green Shipping. “In the past, wind in shipping has been held back by a lack of confidence in suppliers’ fuel saving predictions. Following ITTC protocols and robust testing on a chartered ship, we can now warranty performance with confidence, minimising risk and taking uncertainty away from the shipowner.”
Wind power revisited for modern shipping
Wind propulsion has re-emerged as a potential efficiency measure as shipping faces increasing pressure to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. For operators navigating longer voyages and uncertain fuel markets, systems capable of delivering measurable fuel savings may increasingly be viewed as operational resilience tools as well as environmental measures.
The sector accounts for roughly three per cent of global emissions, while fleet capacity continues to grow. Gilpin argued that the latest validation could help move wind-assist technology beyond pilot projects. “This should prove once and for all that wind energy is not some hippy-yachtie greenwash, and unlock a clear-eyed commercial pathway to adoption at a global scale,” she said.