What if a cargo ship could use the wind to cut its fuel consumption? That’s exactly what’s happening with the Spirit of Toulouse, a new vessel being built in China.
The ship has just reached a major milestone, with all six of its giant Norsepower Rotor Sails installed. Each stands 35 metres tall and five metres wide, making them rather different from the sails you might picture on a traditional sailing ship!
The Spirit of Toulouse is a roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) vessel. Unlike container ships, which carry cargo in containers, RoRo ships are designed to transport wheeled cargo that can be driven or rolled on and off the vessel. In this case, the ship will carry large aircraft components between Airbus facilities in Europe and North America.
So, how do the sails work? Rather than catching the wind like conventional sails, the rotating cylinders use the Magnus effect to generate additional thrust, helping propel the vessel and reduce the work required from its engines.
And the ambition is significant. Built for charter to Airbus, the Spirit of Toulouse is expected to help cut annual CO₂ emissions by up to 70% compared with the two vessels currently operating on the same Atlantic routes.
It will be joined by two sister ships, the Spirit of Mobile and Spirit of Mirabel. All three vessels will combine wind-assisted propulsion with dual-fuel engines capable of running on e-methanol, bio-methanol or marine diesel oil.
With six rotor sails fitted to a single vessel, the Spirit of Toulouse is setting a new benchmark for wind-assisted propulsion on a RoRo ship.
Who says shipping can’t go against the wind, and use it to its advantage?
Image credit: LD Armateurs