Sea trials have confirmed that Smart Green Shipping’s FastRig and FastRoute technology is ready for commercial deployment. Smart Green Shipping (SGS) has successfully completed sea trials of its wind-assisted propulsion system, FastRig, and its performance modelling tool, FastRoute. The trials demonstrated the system’s viability in real-world conditions, validating both its technical capabilities and operational advantages.
The trials, carried out aboard the MV Pacific Grebe, a specialised nuclear fuels cargo vessel, confirm that FastRig can be installed and removed rapidly quayside and operated safely within standard vessel routines. With these outcomes, SGS is preparing for commercial deployment and positioning wind propulsion as a credible decarbonisation solution for the shipping sector.
FastRig proves quick to install, easy to remove
The eight-week test campaign saw FastRig installed, trialled and removed entirely dockside without disrupting commercial schedules or requiring extensive modifications to the ship’s structure. SGS specifically chose a highly regulated vessel — the Pacific Grebe — to demonstrate that even sensitive cargo operations can accommodate wind-assisted propulsion technology.
Diane Gilpin, CEO at Smart Green Shipping, said the trials addressed key concerns from shipowners: “Our customers, collaborators and investors now have clear evidence that FastRig’s lightweight, stowable design reduces the need for extensive deck reinforcement and eliminates reliance on active fans or rotors. This minimises onboard energy use while enabling fast installation and removal, whether quayside or during planned drydock.”
Independent validation strengthens the commercial case
WorldCargo News was previously on board with trials and a port call at Greenock Clydeport, back in November last year. What sets these trials apart is the method. SGS chartered the test vessel itself, giving it full access to performance data and allowing evaluation under International Towing Tank Conference (ITTC) standards — a benchmark for rigorous marine trials. The data was independently assessed by the University of Southampton and marine consultancy Houlder.
Their findings verified the accuracy of SGS’s FastRoute route-optimisation model and confirmed the potential for up to 40% annual fuel savings when FastRig is deployed effectively. With FastRoute’s predictive modelling layered on top, the combined savings could increase by a factor of 1.5, according to the company.
On-deck design suits operational and safety needs
FastRig features a small deck footprint, preserving cargo space and accommodating vessel-specific operations. Its radar-supported safety systems mitigate visibility concerns, and its stowable design ensures minimal disruption when not in use or during port manoeuvres.
Operational simplicity has also been a design priority. FastRig is automated and uses standardised, commercially available parts configured in innovative ways — an approach that eases both crew workload and long-term maintenance demands.
Scotland-built solution with global ambitions
FastRig is manufactured entirely in Scotland, with key components produced by 360Energy (formerly Caley Ocean Group) and Malin Group. SGS blends know-how from marine, offshore and renewable sectors to create a product it sees as a global export opportunity.
The firm’s backers include the government-backed Scottish Enterprise, which has co-invested alongside Japanese shipping giant MOL Drybulk, and renewable energy provider Drax, which recently contributed GB£1 million in funding. SGS has also secured a GB£1.8 million R&D grant. According to the company, these investments are building momentum for commercial installations in 2025.
Wind’s role in net-zero targets
Mark Gibbens, Head of Logistics at Drax, underlined wind propulsion’s wider benefits. “Wind as an energy source is freely available, renewable, and with green technology providers like Smart Green Shipping capable of supporting shipping with its goal of Net Zero, while empowering cargo owners to reduce Scope 3 emissions in their own supply chains,” he said.
The UK Department for Transport estimates that 40,000 vessels worldwide could be viable candidates for wind-assisted propulsion. With uptake at a tipping point, according to Lloyd’s Register, SGS is aiming to turn Scotland’s wingsails into a standard option for sustainable shipping.
The sea trials were delivered under the Winds of Change project, part of the UK Government’s Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition Round 3 (CMDC3). The full sea trial report is now available at SGS’s website. Smart Green Shipping says it is actively engaging industry partners to scale deployment of FastRig across global fleets. Their line is a promising future where clean wind is not just a heritage technology, but a vital part of tomorrow’s decarbonised logistics.