Scottish premier launches FastRig wingsail

An innovative retractable wing sail that developer Smart Green Shipping estimates could save up to 30% fuel a year was launched a few weeks back by Scottish First Minister Humza Yousaf.

The design is supported by a £1.8m grant from Scottish Enterprise and a £1.35m investment from leading Japanese shipping company MOL Drybulk and Scottish Enterprise, with South of Scotland Enterprise helping the company establish a base in Dumfries.
Technology to optimise a ship’s route based on weather forecast data will enable commercial vessels equipped with the sail to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, operating costs and fuel consumption. The UN has said that shipping causes almost 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions, therefore global efforts to decarbonise the sector are crucial to meet climate goals.

Recycled material

The rigid wing sail was manufactured entirely in Scotland from 100% recycled materials and Smart Green Shipping carried out the project with input from other Scottish engineering firms, including Caley Ocean Systems and Malin.
The prime minister will hoist the 20-metre-long FastRig wing sail for the first time at Smart Green Shipping’s test site at Hunterston Parc, along with founder and managing director Diane Gilpin.
The Prime Minister said, “Smart Green Shipping’s work on their impressive FastRig technology is typical of the kind of economic opportunity that the just transition to net-zero offers Scotland – as the ideal test bed for new, green technology.
“Investment and new technology like this will enable companies based here to seize those opportunities and help innovative businesses like Smart Green Shipping grow and prosper both at home and around the world.
“By helping companies like Smart Green Shipping invest in innovation, we can drive growth, create jobs and increase productivity while driving the transition to net zero in the shipping sector.”

Scotland leading the way

Founder and CEO of Smart Green Shipping Diane Gilpin said, “There are no other countries supporting innovative early-stage climate technology companies like Scotland. As a woman-founded company building climate infrastructure, getting funding is notoriously difficult. The grant process in partnership with Scottish Enterprise not only enabled investment but also opened the way to fantastic partners. Scotland saw the potential of wind-assist to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions for shipping and I look forward to repaying that belief in us by taking our technology out into the world and really making a difference.”

Read the fuller article on Scottish Enterprise‘s website.

Photo: First Minister Yousaf on the left, next to him on the right Smart Green Shipping Director Diane Gilpin (© Smart Green Shipping)

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