Canopée, the colossal cargo ship with a unique design, is making waves in the shipping industry by harnessing wind power to transport Europe’s latest space rocket, Ariane 6.
Towering 121 feet over its main deck, Canopée’s four sails, known as “Oceanwings,” cover an impressive 16,000 square feet.
While the ship’s primary power source remains dual diesel engines, the sails can significantly reduce fuel consumption, potentially cutting it in half.
Nils Joyeux, managing director for Alizés, the French company operating Canopée, envisions a greener future for shipping.
“With the best wind conditions, we can save up to 50 or 60%, but in some instances, that can go down to 10 or 15%,” says Joyeux.
The ship has already completed its maiden transatlantic voyage, marking a crucial phase in the Ariane 6 program’s development.
Shipping accounts for about 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions, prompting the International Maritime Organization to tighten climate targets.
The shipping industry aims for net-zero emissions by 2050, with a 20% reduction by 2030. Wind propulsion, alongside cleaner fuels like green ammonia, emerges as a key player in achieving these ambitious goals.
Canopée, constructed in Poland, took to the waters in 2022 and returned to Europe in 2023 after the installation of its innovative Oceanwings.
Operating at a speed of 16.5 knots and capable of moving 5,000 tons of cargo, Canopée will conduct regular trips between Bremen, Rotterdam, Le Havre, and Bordeaux ports, delivering rocket parts to the French Guiana spaceport.
Christiaan De Beukelaer, author of “Trade Winds” and a researcher at the University of Melbourne, describes the ship’s sails as “Oceanwings,” enabling easy adjustment from the bridge.
The sailcloth wings can be adapted to varying wind speeds, optimizing efficiency.
De Beukelaer highlights the promising nature of this design, emphasizing its potential impact on reducing fossil fuel use and helping shipping companies transition to sustainable energy sources.
Gavin Allwright, secretary general of the International Windship Association, notes a growing trend in wind-assisted cargo ships globally, with various technologies, including rotor sails and aircraft wing-inspired hard sails.
Although the current impact remains limited among the vast fleet of merchant ships, wind propulsion offers a triple dividend, reducing immediate fossil fuel use, accelerating the transition to zero-emission fuels, and providing a free and stable energy source.
Canopée, as a pioneering wind-powered vessel, showcases the viability of wind propulsion as a practical and immediate solution for lowering emissions in the shipping industry.
While assessing its sustainability will take time, Canopée signifies a significant step towards a greener and more sustainable future for maritime transport.
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