Hi-tech Airwing sail built in Hull will tackle emissions at sea

A prototype of the Airwing is being assembled by MMS Ship Repair, an engineering company based in the city.

Managing director Rob Langton said it was a prestigious project to be involved in, and it would lead to new skills and create jobs.

"The are vast opportunities with this, and I am sure that once the technology has proved itself there will be many ships it can be fitted to," he said.

George Thompson, chief executive of GT Wings, which developed the technology, said the sea trials were only a few weeks away.

"There is real industry backing for this technology because it can save emissions [and] costs, and it can be retrofitted," he added.