The new tool will provide shipbuilders and owners with decision-support capabilities to select efficient, low-emission wind-assisted propulsion systems for new builds or retrofits. The project is co-financed by the European Union as part of Spain’s Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan.
The maritime sector is under intense pressure to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions and meet stricter efficiency targets. Wind-Assisted Ship Propulsion (WASP) technologies (rotor sails, wing sails, kite systems) offer promising fuel- and emission-reductions, but shipyards and owners lack robust predictive tools that integrate wind-propulsion effects into performance modelling, operational planning and digital twin frameworks.
Caponnetto Hueber has been commissioned to contribute its advanced CFD, hydrodynamics and digital twin capabilities to develop the WASP4 tool under the “PP23 Gemelotec: Development of advanced technologies for the digital twin of naval systems and ships” initiative. The tool will enable simulation of the ship’s power balance, performance and wind-propulsion benefits — assisting shipyards and owners in evaluating and selecting efficient propulsion solutions for both newbuild and retrofit programmes.
Once operational, the WASP4 tool will empower stakeholders in the naval sector with validated, high-fidelity performance predictions for wind-assisted propulsion systems, reducing risk in adoption decisions and accelerating retrofits and new builds of low-emission vessels. The tool supports Spain’s vision for a competitive, diversified and sustainable naval ecosystem under the PERTE Naval framework.
The innovation spearheaded by Caponnetto Hueber positions the company at the convergence of digital twin engineering, wind-propulsion systems and naval architecture, enabling the transfer of high-performance aerospace/CFD methods into mainstream maritime-industry use. The result: more resilient, energy-efficient and sustainable ship designs.
WASP4 aligns with evolving regulatory and classification-society frameworks for wind-assisted propulsion technologies in the maritime sector. By integrating decision-support capabilities into the digital twin ecosystem, the project helps standardise methodologies for performance prediction, enabling harmonised evaluation of WASP systems across shipyards and owners.
Caponnetto Hueber’s engagement in the WASP4 project marks a strategic milestone: delivering next-generation digital tools for wind-assisted propulsion that will underpin the decarbonisation and digital transformation of the Spanish naval-industry value chain.
We are pleased to announce Caponnetto Hueber’s participation in an innovative and ambitious naval project!
Within the framework of the Primary Project PP23 Gemelotec, Caponnetto Hueber is contributing to the development of advanced technologies for the digital twin of naval systems and ships with a wind-assisted propulsion performance prediction tool for ships (WASP4).
This initiative is part of the Tractor Project INNCODIS, led by Pymar and Navantia, which aims to develop an innovative industrial ecosystem for a competitive, diversified, and sustainable naval sector.
Financed by the European Union and framed within the Spanish Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan, this project demonstrates Caponnetto Hueber’s commitment to research, innovation, and technological advancement in the naval sector.
We are excited to be part of this initiative that will drive the future of the Spanish naval industry!
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