LD Armateurs Begins Norsepower Rotor Sail Installation on Spirit of Toulouse

French shipowner LD Armateurs has started installing a wind-assisted propulsion system on its new RoRo vessel Spirit of Toulouse at Wuchang Shipyard in Shanghai.

The installation began with the fitting of the first of six Norsepower Rotor Sails, each standing 35 metres high. The vessel arrived in Shanghai after completing a journey along the Yangtze River following its launch earlier this year.

All six rotor sails will be installed at the Shanghai shipyard before Spirit of Toulouse proceeds to sea trials.

Spirit of Toulouse Combines Rotor Sails With Dual-Fuel Engines

Spirit of Toulouse is the first of three next-generation RoRo vessels chartered by Airbus from LD Armateurs. Built at Wuchang Shipyard, the vessels measure approximately 168–169 metres in length and have a beam of 23.32 metres.

The propulsion system combines six Norsepower Rotor Sails with two dual-fuel engines capable of operating on e-methanol, biomethanol or marine diesel oil.

The vessels have also been designed with energy-efficiency technologies including optimised propellers and shafts, low-friction anti-fouling coatings and a smart power management system. Routing software is intended to maximise the contribution of wind propulsion while limiting additional drag in challenging ocean conditions.

An AI-powered control system will adjust vessel operations to changing weather and sea conditions while optimising the ships’ aerodynamics.

RoRo Vessels to Transport Airbus Components Across Atlantic

Following delivery, the three vessels will be deployed to transport Airbus aircraft components across the Atlantic. Their planned route will connect Saint-Nazaire/Montoir in France with Mobile, Alabama, where Airbus operates its US final assembly facility for the A320 and A321 aircraft families.

The vessels will be registered under the French International Register (RIF) and will join LD Armateurs’ existing RoRo fleet, which includes Ville de Bordeaux, Ciudad de Cadiz and City of Hamburg.

Two More Airbus-Chartered Vessels Under Construction

Two additional vessels in the series, Spirit of Mobile and Spirit of Mirabel, remain under construction at Wuchang Shipyard.

Spirit of Mobile was launched on June 6, 2026, making it the second vessel in the three-ship series chartered by Airbus and equipped with Flettner rotor technology.

Once completed, the three vessels will combine wind-assisted propulsion with alternative-fuel capability as part of the fleet’s operational design for transatlantic transport of aircraft components.