Airbus Unveils Newly Launched Ships: Wingsails and rotorsails are set to revolutionize sea transport, offering a cleaner and cost-effective solution for shipping companies. One noteworthy project in this field is the Swedish Oceanbird, unveiling its 220-meter-long ship, Orcelle Wind, expected to set sail by 2027. With six wingsails, each anticipated to yield a fuel saving of 710 percent given the vessel’s size.
Venturing into innovative applications, there’s a proposal to integrate AI-controlled sails on ships, especially for transporting nuclear waste. Canopée, a 121-meter-long ship, plans to transport Ariane Group‘s rockets from Europe to South America, aiming for a 30 percent reduction in fuel consumption with its four wingsails.
In a bold move, Airbus is overhauling its Atlantic transport fleet. The entire vessel lineup, tasked with ferrying goods between Saint-Nazaire, France, and Mobile, Alabama, in the United States, will undergo replacement. Louis Dreyfus Amateurs is spearheading the development of three new ships, equipped with six rotor sails and engines capable of running on diesel and e-methanol. This strategic move by Airbus is anticipated to slash carbon dioxide emissions from the current 68,000 tons to 33,000 tons per year.
The Flettner rotor, leveraging the Magnus effecta phenomenon involving pressure changes around a rotating cylinder in the presence of air flowis a key player in this transformation. Motor-driven rotors, with adjustable speeds based on wind strength and direction, exploit pressure differentials to create a driving force.
This force, comprising resistance and a transverse force, achieves optimal efficiency when the wind blows perpendicular to the sail. The maritime industry is on the brink of a sustainable evolution, navigating towards cleaner seas and economic savings.
ALSO READ: Airbus Transatlantic Fleet with Greener Tech: Flettner Rotors and E-Methanol for Lower Emissions
Our Reader’s Queries
What are the new plans for Airbus?
Airbus aims to launch the world’s initial hydrogen-fueled commercial plane by 2035. Our ZEROe initiative is investigating multiple designs and technologies while also laying the groundwork for hydrogen production and supply.
What powers the three ocean fleet vessels that the aircraft builder Airbus just launched?
The upcoming ships will use six Flettner rotors, which are big spinning cylinders that harness the wind to create lift and move the ship, along with two dual-fuel engines that run on maritime diesel oil and e-methanol.
What is the strategy of Airbus technology?
In order to speed up and maintain aircraft deliveries, Airbus is investing in a robotics and automation strategy to enhance the pivotal role of robotics in our manufacturing processes.
How much does an Airbus A350 cost?
The Airbus A350-1000 usually needs about 6,300 feet or 1,920 meters to land at its heaviest weight. The base price to buy a brand-new A350-1000 is $366 million, not including any additional options.