French tyre group Michelin will install and test an inflatable wing sail system it has developed on a ro-ro operated by Brittany Ferries.
A Wing Sail Mobility (Wisamo) prototype with a surface area of 100 sq m will be installed on the 12,076-gt Pelican (built 1999) owned by Sogestran Group subsidiary Compagnie Maritime Nantaise.
The Pelican, which has been chartered by Brittany Ferries since 2016, operates two weekly sailings between the UK and northern Spain.
The telescopic and inflatable wing sail system, which has a passing visual similarity to the group's historic Michelin Man marketing symbol, is expected to be fitted in the second half of 2022.
Michelin said the trials will contribute to the industrial development of the sail, and, if conclusive, could lead to testing of a larger wind propulsion wing through the partnership.
Technical tests of the prototype were also conducted on French sailor Michel Desjoyeaux's racing yacht between June and December 2021 on Lake Neuchatel in Switzerland.
Michelin said those trials had a positive outcome and Desjoyeaux's boat will enter a second phase of maritime testing in the Bay of Biscay from the end of February.
The Wisamo system has been developed by Michelin Research & Development in partnership with Swiss designers to provide what is claimed is one of the widest operating ranges in the market, and an estimated 20% fuel saving.
The automated system can be fixed to most vessel types, according to Michelin, but is best suited to ro-ros, bulk carriers, tankers and gas carriers. It will be made available for retrofitting or newbuildings.
Its telescopic mast is retractable to make it easier for ships to enter ports and pass under bridges.
The Wisamo concept was unveiled by Michelin last June as part of its Movin'On sustainability strategy alongside a racing car tyre containing 46% sustainable materials, fitted to the GreenGT Mission H24 hydrogen-powered prototype developed for endurance racing.
Michelin has also signed up to use Neoline's cargo sailboat project to transport tyres from Canada to France, which is hoped to begin operations in 2023.
