Scientists at the University of Southampton in the UK are investigating technology to allow large cargo ships to convert to sail. Modern shipborne technology could allow ocean going cargo ships to operate efficiently when equipped with modern wing-sails, a move that would cut both carbon emissions and shipping costs.

The research team intends to create new software tools to accurately predict how modern vessels perform on the ocean when fitted with the FastRig wing-sails, developed by UK company Smart Green Shipping. The researchers have received funding from Innovate UK, the country’s national innovation agency.

As part of the two-year development programme, scientists will test the impact of a retractable 20metre-high FastRig wing-sail retrofitted on commercial ship the Pacific Grebe – a British 105 metre vessel.

Experts from Southampton’s Marine and Maritime Institute hope their new tool, which predicts the fuel savings delivered by the wing-sails, will drive further investment in marine technology and encourage the next generation into the field of Maritime Engineering

Lead scientist Dr Joseph Banks, from Southampton’s Marine and Maritime Institute, said that global shipping needs to decarbonise quickly.

He added: “Ships powered by wind is obviously nothing new – but almost every large vessel operating today is powered by fossil fuels, leaving a lasting mark on the environment. While new wind-assist technologies are being developed, many are not ready for market and their predicted fuel savings have not been independently verified at sea, which is why UK-funded research projects like this are so important.”

The grants for the Winds of Change project, the collaboration between Southampton and Smart Green Shipping, was provided by the Department for Transport and Innovate UK.

Dr Banks added: “This is an innovative project because the technology can be retrofitted to pre-existing vessels to quickly reduce emissions from the existing ships and help create quieter, emission-free ships in the future that do no harm to ocean environments and improve air quality in ports towns and cities.

“Our team of researchers will investigate the complex interactions between the wing-sails and the ship hydrodynamics enabling accurate predictions of vessel performance which will be compared to the demonstration vessel Pacific Grebe as part of the project.”

Smart Green Shipping CEO Diane Gilpin said: “I’m thrilled that the UK is demonstrating ongoing faith in our FastRig technology, which holds the key to rapidly reducing emissions from shipping. Climate science is clear that shipping must rapidly reduce emissions in the short term. Wind power harnessed using sophisticated digital software and well-engineered equipment is at present the fastest way for the sector to reduce fuel consumption and related emissions.”