China State Shipbuilding Corporation Limited (CSSC) continues to pursue green development, securing a series of orders for the construction of multiple green vessels and contributing to the achievement of China’s “dual carbon” goals.

On January 2, Wuchang Shipbuilding officially signed a contract with LD SEAPLANE SAS, a subsidiary of France’s LDA Group, for the construction of three wind-assisted roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) vessels.

Upon delivery, the vessels will transport Airbus aircraft components across the Atlantic between Airbus’ production facility in Saint-Nazaire, France, and its single-aisle aircraft final assembly line in Mobile, Alabama, USA.

Methanol-fueled power + wind-assisted propulsion system

The vessels will be equipped with two methanol-fueled main engines, two methanol-fueled auxiliary engines, six Flettner rotor sails, and two sets of stabilizing fins. They will also feature advanced automated systems, including an energy-saving optimization management system, an energy efficiency management and monitoring system, and a gas emission monitoring system.

These technologies will significantly reduce fuel consumption and pollutant emissions under various weather conditions, while greatly improving vessel propulsion efficiency, transportation performance, and economic benefits.

Significantly enhanced cargo capacity

Compared with current cargo vessels, which can transport only three to four sets of aircraft components, the new vessels will be capable of carrying six sets of single-aisle aircraft components, including wings, fuselage sections, engine pylons, horizontal and vertical stabilizers, as well as approximately 70 forty-foot containers.