GT Wings has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Zunsion Technology in China to establish a strategic manufacturing partnership for its AirWing™ Jet Sail wind propulsion system.
The agreement sets out a framework for industrial-scale production of AirWing units in China, combining GT Wings’ wind propulsion technology and system integration expertise with Zunsion’s manufacturing, automation and assembly capabilities.
According to GT Wings, the partnership is intended to support long-term scale-up of AirWing production as demand for wind-assisted propulsion grows across the shipping sector. The company said the arrangement could support manufacturing capacity of more than 250 units per year as the market expands.
Jonathan Burton, COO of GT Wings, said Zunsion had shown clear capability in delivering complex engineered systems and described the company as the right assembly partner for GT Wings in China.
The move comes as shipping companies face tighter emissions regulations and rising fuel and carbon costs, increasing interest in wind-assisted propulsion technologies. With a large share of the global commercial fleet built and serviced in Asia, GT Wings sees additional manufacturing capacity near major shipbuilding and drydocking centres as important for wider deployment.
The partnership is centred in Nantong, where Zunsion is based. GT Wings said this would allow AirWing systems to be manufactured closer to key shipyards and shipowners operating in China, helping improve delivery timelines and support demand in the wider Asian maritime market.
Xu Jinbiao, CEO of Zunsion Technology, said the company sees strong alignment between its own manufacturing focus and GT Wings’ wind propulsion technology. He also pointed to Nantong’s established marine and offshore engineering base as an advantage for scaling production.
GT Wings said the new arrangement is intended to complement, rather than replace, its existing Europe-based supply chain and manufacturing facilities. By adding production capability in Asia, the company aims to increase flexibility across regions while responding to growing international demand.
Under the agreement, GT Wings will provide the wind propulsion technology and integration expertise, while Zunsion will support manufacturing, assembly and industrial production. The structure is intended to allow progressive increases in output while maintaining the quality and delivery standards expected by shipowners and shipyards.
Bruce Anson, Director of Zunsion Technology, said the partnership creates a technically focused manufacturing capability within the company’s facilities in Nantong and will support scaled production of AirWing systems.
Liam Campbell, CCO of GT Wings, said the agreement marks an important step in the company’s growth strategy and reflects a deliberate approach to selecting supply partners with proven manufacturing capability.