FastRig: First UK trial begins of sail designed to cut ships' carbon footprint

Nuclear Transport Solutions (NTS) has become the first nuclear transport operator in the world to install and trial revolutionary new sail technology on its specialist ships in a bid to reduce its carbon footprint.

In collaboration with Smart Green Shipping (SGS), a renewable marine technology specialist, the exciting project aims to establish new ways of reducing fuel and greenhouse gas emissions on its nuclear ships.

Installation of SGS’s cutting-edge FastRig wingsail was completed on one of NTS’s specialist vessels, the Pacific Grebe – a purpose-built ship designed to safely carry nuclear cargos around the world.

The innovative technology uses wind power to help propel the ship, potentially reducing fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by up to 30% on a full commercial installation.

The FastRig wingsail is a lightweight, retractable solution which uses specialist sensors and automated technology to adapt to changing weather conditions, allowing it to deploy and retract as necessary to ensure both fuel efficiency and safety.

NTS and SGS’s collaboration marks the first time a system like this has been installed on a specialist ship of this kind. It underpins NTS’s ongoing commitment to environmental responsibility and sustainable operations in adopting cleaner, greener shipping technologies.

Seth Kybird, NTS CEO said: “We are proud to be working with Smart Green Shipping on this pioneering project as we continue our commitment to reducing our environmental impact, while continuing to deliver the highest standards of safety and security in the transport of nuclear materials.

“The addition of the FastRig system aligns with our goals for sustainable operations and demonstrates our commitment to pioneering green technologies in the maritime sector.”

Pete Buchan, NTS’s Managing Director of Shipping added: “While this is still a trial at this stage, it’s the first real-world application of this wing and could change the way all ships sail, drastically reducing emissions and fuel usage across the industry.

“We’re really proud of the role we’ve had in this project and can’t wait to see the final results of the trial.”

Diane Gilpin, CEO of Smart Green Shipping, commented: “NTS demonstrates great leadership in pioneering the world first sea trials of FastRig, we’re delighted to work in partnership with them. Their ships demand the very highest safety standards and our collaboration shows Fastrigs can be installed on any ship.

“NTS is allowing SGS to undertake formal sea trials which gives us accurate, independently verified performance data against which we can corroborate the digital models and tank testing results the University of Southampton have been developing.”

The ship has left its home port of Barrow-in-Furness and will be running sea trials this month.