Drax is investing £1 million into the initiative, alongside a matching grant from the UK Government’s Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition.

The FastRig system is undergoing sea trials on the Pacific Grebe, a nuclear cargo vessel, with results expected by the end of October. These trials will provide performance data to verify the technology’s effectiveness in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, which account for 3% of global emissions and have risen 20% in the last decade.

If successful, FastRig will be installed on a commercial biomass vessel, helping to decarbonise the shipping sector and reduce emissions in Drax's biomass supply chain, which generates 8% of the UK's renewable energy. This effort supports Drax’s broader goal of becoming carbon negative by 2030, using Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS) to remove up to eight million tonnes of CO2 annually.

Drax’s investment will also fund the development of Smart Green Shipping’s FastRoute, a digital system co-created with the University of Southampton. FastRoute uses AI and weather data to optimise wind-assisted routes, reducing fuel use and emissions.

Diane Gilpin, CEO and Founder of Smart Green Shipping said: “Wind is abundant, free, and exclusively available to any ship equipped to use it. Modern 21st century easily retrofittable wing sails lower the cost of propelling ships, which reduces the dependency on commodity-based fuels – whether fossil or alternative fuels – and improves supply chain certainty. Smart Green Shipping shares a joint mission with Drax Group to use renewables to move renewables. We are immensely grateful for the support from Drax Group to create seamless and easy-to-access wind solutions for cargo owners and ship owners. The first commercial installation of FastRig is incredibly exciting and an important milestone as we derisk the transition to wind for the whole shipping ecosystem.”

Miguel Veiga Pestana, Chief Sustainability Officer at Drax said: “Smart Green Shipping’s technology represents a landmark moment for the maritime energy transition and Drax is proud to provide this funding, which re-affirms our commitment to becoming a carbon-negative business by 2030. We look forward to continuing our longstanding partnership as we work together on this exciting project, which could allow us to significantly reduce emissions from the shipping of sustainable biomass, and help to decarbonise a crucial part of our global supply chain.”

Maritime Minister, Mike Kane said: “Reducing shipping emissions is vital if we’re going to decarbonise the sector and achieve our mission of becoming a Clean Energy Superpower. It’s fantastic to see Government funding making a difference, and we will continue to support UK industry to deliver a cleaner, greener sector and develop the smart technologies of the future.”

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