The new RoRo cargo vessel Spirit of Toulouse has been fitted with six Norsepower Rotor Sails, creating one of the largest wind-assist propulsion installations of its kind.
The vessel is owned and operated by French shipping company LD Armateurs and will be the first of three new low-emission RoRo ships designed for Airbus transport operations.
Spirit of Toulouse has been equipped with six Norsepower Rotor Sails, each measuring 35 metres high and 5 metres in diameter. According to the manufacturer, this represents the largest number of mechanical sails installed on a single vessel.
Installation was carried out by the team at Wuchang Shipbuilding Industry Group at an outfitting facility in Shanghai.
The Rotor Sails will operate alongside two dual-fuel main engines and two dual-fuel generator sets.
The vessel’s propulsion and power system is designed to operate on e-methanol, bio-methanol or conventional marine diesel fuel.
The Rotor Sails do not replace the vessel’s main engines. Instead, they provide additional wind-assisted propulsion designed to reduce fuel consumption and associated emissions during voyages.
Spirit of Toulouse is the first vessel in a three-ship series that will also include Spirit of Mobile and Spirit of Mirabel.
All three ships will operate under charter to Airbus, transporting large aircraft sections and components between the company’s production facilities in Europe and North America.
Construction of the lead vessel began in 2024, while Spirit of Toulouse was launched in February 2026. Following installation of the Rotor Sails, the ship is preparing for sea trials.
During the upcoming trials, engineers will test the operation of all six Rotor Sails and their integration with the vessel’s propulsion, power and control systems.
Further optimisation of the equipment is expected to continue during Spirit of Toulouse’s maiden voyage from China to France.
The project combines two approaches to reducing shipping emissions: methanol-capable propulsion and wind-assisted technology. LD Armateurs and Norsepower have previously said the new fleet is expected to significantly reduce CO₂ emissions from transatlantic operations compared with the vessels currently used.
Spirit of Toulouse will become one of the largest commercial vessels to combine six Rotor Sails with a dual-fuel methanol-capable propulsion system.
