The future of maritime innovation will not be defined by technology alone, but by our ability to validate, predict and confidently apply it in real-world conditions.
This was one of the central themes of INNOV’SAIL 2026, held in Gothenburg, Sweden, where researchers, shipowners, technology developers and engineering companies gathered to discuss the next generation of sailing performance, foiling systems, wind-assisted propulsion and validation-driven design methodologies.
Representing Caponnetto Hueber, Tomás Carreira attended the event and presented the company’s latest work, contributing to discussions focused on performance prediction, CFD validation and the growing need for reliable engineering tools capable of supporting the maritime industry’s transition towards greater efficiency and sustainability.
Across the conference, a clear message emerged: the industry is moving beyond isolated high-complexity simulations and towards integrated engineering workflows that combine high-fidelity CFD, experimental validation, onboard measurements, digital twins and performance prediction models. Rather than pursuing complexity for its own sake, the sector is increasingly focused on building confidence in engineering decisions through validated and measurable results.
For Caponnetto Hueber, this evolution strongly resonates with our own approach. High-fidelity CFD remains an essential tool for understanding complex flow physics, evaluating innovative concepts and providing reliable reference data. However, its true value lies in its ability to support practical design decisions, performance optimisation and the development of efficient maritime solutions.
The event also highlighted the growing importance of wind-assisted ship propulsion systems and retrofit-oriented decarbonisation strategies. Discussions increasingly focused on operational performance, model validation, routing optimisation and lifecycle assessment rather than purely conceptual technologies. This reflects a broader shift across the maritime sector: sustainability is becoming an engineering challenge that must be solved through measurable performance improvements and validated methodologies.
One of the most rewarding aspects of the event was the strong interest generated by Caponnetto Hueber’s presentation and poster. During the conference, more than twenty industry professionals approached our team to discuss methodologies, results and potential collaboration opportunities. Conversations involved shipowners, research institutes, universities, technology providers and engineering organisations working across high-performance sailing, foiling systems and wind-assisted propulsion.
Beyond the technical discussions, INNOV’SAIL reinforced an important industry trend: the future belongs to organisations capable of connecting advanced simulation, experimental validation and practical engineering into coherent design workflows. As maritime systems become increasingly complex, trust in performance prediction will become one of the most valuable assets in naval architecture and vessel development.
At Caponnetto Hueber, we remain committed to advancing this vision through CFD, hydrodynamic optimisation, foil development and validation-driven engineering. Because innovation only creates value when it can be translated into reliable performance in the real world.
The future of maritime innovation will not be defined by technology alone, but by our ability to validate, predict and confidently apply it in real-world conditions.
This was one of the central themes of INNOV’SAIL 2026, held in Gothenburg, Sweden, where researchers, shipowners, technology developers and engineering companies gathered to discuss the next generation of sailing performance, foiling systems, wind-assisted propulsion and validation-driven design methodologies.
Representing Caponnetto Hueber, Tomás Carreira attended the event and presented the company’s latest work, contributing to discussions focused on performance prediction, CFD validation and the growing need for reliable engineering tools capable of supporting the maritime industry’s transition towards greater efficiency and sustainability.
Across the conference, a clear message emerged: the industry is moving beyond isolated high-complexity simulations and towards integrated engineering workflows that combine high-fidelity CFD, experimental validation, onboard measurements, digital twins and performance prediction models. Rather than pursuing complexity for its own sake, the sector is increasingly focused on building confidence in engineering decisions through validated and measurable results.
For Caponnetto Hueber, this evolution strongly resonates with our own approach. High-fidelity CFD remains an essential tool for understanding complex flow physics, evaluating innovative concepts and providing reliable reference data. However, its true value lies in its ability to support practical design decisions, performance optimisation and the development of efficient maritime solutions.
The event also highlighted the growing importance of wind-assisted ship propulsion systems and retrofit-oriented decarbonisation strategies. Discussions increasingly focused on operational performance, model validation, routing optimisation and lifecycle assessment rather than purely conceptual technologies. This reflects a broader shift across the maritime sector: sustainability is becoming an engineering challenge that must be solved through measurable performance improvements and validated methodologies.
One of the most rewarding aspects of the event was the strong interest generated by Caponnetto Hueber’s presentation and poster. During the conference, more than twenty industry professionals approached our team to discuss methodologies, results and potential collaboration opportunities. Conversations involved shipowners, research institutes, universities, technology providers and engineering organisations working across high-performance sailing, foiling systems and wind-assisted propulsion.
Beyond the technical discussions, INNOV’SAIL reinforced an important industry trend: the future belongs to organisations capable of connecting advanced simulation, experimental validation and practical engineering into coherent design workflows. As maritime systems become increasingly complex, trust in performance prediction will become one of the most valuable assets in naval architecture and vessel development.
At Caponnetto Hueber, we remain committed to advancing this vision through CFD, hydrodynamic optimisation, foil development and validation-driven engineering. Because innovation only creates value when it can be translated into reliable performance in the real world.
The future of maritime innovation will not be defined by technology alone, but by our ability to validate, predict and confidently apply it in real-world conditions.
This was one of the central themes of INNOV’SAIL 2026, held in Gothenburg, Sweden, where researchers, shipowners, technology developers and engineering companies gathered to discuss the next generation of sailing performance, foiling systems, wind-assisted propulsion and validation-driven design methodologies.
Representing Caponnetto Hueber, Tomás Carreira attended the event and presented the company’s latest work, contributing to discussions focused on performance prediction, CFD validation and the growing need for reliable engineering tools capable of supporting the maritime industry’s transition towards greater efficiency and sustainability.
Across the conference, a clear message emerged: the industry is moving beyond isolated high-complexity simulations and towards integrated engineering workflows that combine high-fidelity CFD, experimental validation, onboard measurements, digital twins and performance prediction models. Rather than pursuing complexity for its own sake, the sector is increasingly focused on building confidence in engineering decisions through validated and measurable results.
For Caponnetto Hueber, this evolution strongly resonates with our own approach. High-fidelity CFD remains an essential tool for understanding complex flow physics, evaluating innovative concepts and providing reliable reference data. However, its true value lies in its ability to support practical design decisions, performance optimisation and the development of efficient maritime solutions.
The event also highlighted the growing importance of wind-assisted ship propulsion systems and retrofit-oriented decarbonisation strategies. Discussions increasingly focused on operational performance, model validation, routing optimisation and lifecycle assessment rather than purely conceptual technologies. This reflects a broader shift across the maritime sector: sustainability is becoming an engineering challenge that must be solved through measurable performance improvements and validated methodologies.
One of the most rewarding aspects of the event was the strong interest generated by Caponnetto Hueber’s presentation and poster. During the conference, more than twenty industry professionals approached our team to discuss methodologies, results and potential collaboration opportunities. Conversations involved shipowners, research institutes, universities, technology providers and engineering organisations working across high-performance sailing, foiling systems and wind-assisted propulsion.
Beyond the technical discussions, INNOV’SAIL reinforced an important industry trend: the future belongs to organisations capable of connecting advanced simulation, experimental validation and practical engineering into coherent design workflows. As maritime systems become increasingly complex, trust in performance prediction will become one of the most valuable assets in naval architecture and vessel development.
At Caponnetto Hueber, we remain committed to advancing this vision through CFD, hydrodynamic optimisation, foil development and validation-driven engineering. Because innovation only creates value when it can be translated into reliable performance in the real world.
During the 33rd America’s Cup cycle, Mario Caponnetto contributed to hydrodynamic assessment workstreams aligned with the BMW Oracle wing-sail platform, the configuration that ultimately won the Match. This milestone marked the shift toward aero-hydrodynamic integration in Cup design culture.
BMW Oracle Racing
America’s Cup / Aero-Hydro Integration / Performance Engineering
In 2021, Caponnetto Hueber led the CFD, foil design, and hydrodynamic engineering for the AC75 of Luna Rossa Challenge, the eventual Prada Cup winner. We deployed multiscale CFD and aero-hydro coupling to ensure optimum lift and control. Rapid iteration delivered performance gains under tight competition timelines.
Luna Rossa Challenge
Racing Concept / CFD / Foil Design