LD Armateurs has launched the first of three low-emission Ro-Ro vessels it will deploy for aircraft manufacturer Airbus on transatlantic logistics routes.
The Spirit of Toulouse was launched last week at Wuchang Shipyard, part of China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC).
Two sister ships, Spirit of Mobile and Spirit of Mirabel, are under construction.
The newbuilds are designed to transport major Airbus aircraft sections and combine wind-assisted propulsion with dual-fuel capability. Each vessel will be fitted with six Norsepower rotor sails standing about 35 metres high and two engines capable of running on e-/bio-methanol or conventional marine diesel.
A range of energy-efficiency features has been integrated, including optimised propellers and shafts made from recycled steel, low-friction anti-fouling coatings, smart power-management systems and heat-recovery technology. Routing software and an AI-based control system will be used to maximise wind-assist performance and reduce fuel consumption.
Each ship is expected to deliver around a 70% cut in annual CO₂ emissions compared with the previous generation of vessels used by Airbus.
At the fleet level, and allowing for increased transport capacity, the three new ships are projected to reduce average annual transatlantic CO₂ emissions by roughly 50% versus 2023 while supporting higher volumes.
