A major milestone in sustainable shipping was reached on 4 March 2025 with the announcement of the successful installation of the first GT Wings AirWing wind propulsion system aboard Carisbrooke Shipping’s Vectis Progress.
The vessel departed Hull and headed to Bilbao, marking the start of a transatlantic journey to Canada to showcase the impact of wind-assisted propulsion.
The AirWing an advanced wind propulsion technology, is designed to significantly reduce fuel consumption and carbon emissions for commercial shipping.
With rising fuel costs and tightening emissions regulations, solutions like AirWing offer a practical, cost-effective path to compliance and decarbonisation.
“Every tonne of thrust generated by the wind means less reliance on the engine and fewer emissions in the air,” said George Thompson, Founder and CEO of GT Wings.
“Wind propulsion isn’t just an environmental decision—it’s an economic one. The cost of non-compliance is rising, and integrating wind assistance is a no-brainer for forward-thinking shipowners.”
George Thompson was on board Vectis Progress during her Atlantic crossing to Canada, monitoring AirWing’s performance in real-world conditions to assess at firsthand throughout the voyage the benefits of wind propulsion.
This journey represents a significant step forward in proving the viability of wind propulsion at scale. The maritime industry faces mounting pressure to reduce emissions, and AirWing provides a scalable, retrofit-friendly solution that can be installed on a wide range of vessels.
