Louis Dreyfus to operate methanol- and wind-powered RoRos

Louis Dreyfus Armateurs (LDA) said it has been tapped by Airbus to renew its entire fleet of chartered vessels for aircraft subassembly transport with three modern, low-emission roll-on / roll-off vessels, supported by wind-assisted propulsion.

LDA announced it has been commissioned to build, own and operate these new highly efficient vessels, slated for entry into service from 2026.

Powered by a combination of six Flettner rotors—large, rotating cylinders that generate lift thanks to the wind, propelling the ship forward—and two dual-fuel engines running on maritime diesel oil and e-methanol, the chartered vessels will transport Airbus’ aircraft subassemblies across the Atlantic between production facilities in Saint-Nazaire, France, and its single-aisle aircraft final assembly line in Mobile, Ala.

Additionally, routing software will be used for voyage optimization, maximizing wind propulsion and avoiding drag caused by adverse ocean conditions.

The new fleet is expected to reduce average annual transatlantic CO2 emissions from 68,000 to 33,000 tonnes by 2030.

In addition, the fleet renewal also supports Airbus ambition to increase A320 family production rate to 75 aircrafts per month by 2026. Each new vessel will have the capacity to transport around seventy 40-foot containers and six single-aisle aircraft sub assembly sets—wings, fuselage, engine pylons, horizontal and vertical tail planes—compared to three to four sets with current cargo ships.