Paris-based shipowner Louis Dreyfus Armateurs (LDA) is helping bring to market the design of a wind-assisted/propelled feeder container ship.
Subsidiary Louis Dreyfus Freight Solutions (LDFS) has teamed up with two French naval architects VPLP Design and marine consultancy Alwena Shipping.
The Paris-based shipowner will pursue logistics solutions for the 2,500-teu low-emissions boxship designed and developed by its two partners.
The Trade Wings 2500 teu design has a length of 197 metres and a breadth of 32 metres.
The design is targeted at the short sea and feeder container market and has been granted approval in principle by the French classification society Bureau Veritas.
The project’s backers claim the vessel will reduce CO2 emissions by 35% on a transatlantic voyage, in comparison with conventional two-stroke engine design sailing at the same speed.
The ship is designed to operate with hybrid propulsion comprising six wing sails and a diesel-electric system, as well as LNG and methanol.
Traction
The support of LDFS showed that the Trade Wings 2,500 teu design was “gaining traction”, said Alwena’s Ludovic Gerard.
The design had been self-financed and had been developed together with the Shanghai Merchant Ship Design & Research Institute, he said.
“We are continuing the development works to suit LDFS expectations and we expect some projects to materialise soon,” added VPLP's Simon Watin.
The project was aligned with LDA’s strategy aimed at accelerating shipping decarbonisation, especially through wind-propulsion systems and alternative fuels, said LDA transport & logistics general manager Mathieu Muzeau.
