GT Wings has introduced a holistic ship performance assessment tool to support early-stage evaluation of its AirWing™ wind-assisted propulsion system.
The tool, developed by independent wind assist experts Blue Wasp Marine and based on its proprietary Pelican Suite™ web-based platform, will enable GT Wings to develop and submit reliable and structured indications of potential fuel, emissions, and regulatory savings.
RINA’s review and verification confirm that the modelling methodology and performance assessment framework of the Pelican Suite™ tool are aligned with recognised industry standards and guidelines. This Approval in Principle provides confidence that the approach is suitable for early-stage evaluation of wind-assisted propulsion solutions, offering shipowners a reliable basis for preliminary technical and commercial assessments.
GT Wings has developed AirWing™, a Jet Sail wind propulsion system using controlled suction and blowing to achieve high aerodynamic performance with a minimal deck footprint. As wind-assisted propulsion adoption accelerates, shipowners are increasingly seeking reliable early-stage insights to inform both technical and commercial decisions.
GT Wings’ Jet Sail system has already been installed onboard Carisbrooke Shipping’s MV Vectis Progress, with additional orders from Grieg Maritime Group, and the company has completed more than 80 early-stage performance assessments to date. This new tool builds on that experience, enabling more consistent and transparent initial evaluations.
The assessment tool enables rapid, route-based simulations to estimate potential fuel, emissions and regulatory savings across different vessel types, operating profiles, and AirWing™ configurations.
Using a four-degrees-of-freedom (4DOF) modelling approach, the tool provides a consistent, physics-based indication of performance. This allows shipowners to compare options and build an early business case with greater confidence.
