Six 35-metre rotor sails installed aboard Spirit of Toulouse, combining wind-assisted propulsion with methanol-capable engines to improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions
LD Armateurs and Norsepower have completed the installation of six Norsepower Rotor Sails™ aboard Spirit of Toulouse, the lead vessel in a new fleet of three low-emission roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) ships being built to support Airbus transport operations.
The installation was completed by the project team at Wuchang Shipbuilding Industry Group Co. Ltd. at a coastal outfitting site in Shanghai. Equipped with six rotor sails, Spirit of Toulouse is described as the world’s largest RoRo vessel fitted with wind-assisted propulsion and the vessel carrying the largest number of mechanical sails.
The six rotor sails, each measuring 35m x 5m, are paired with two dual-fuel main engines complemented by two dual-fuel generator sets, capable of running on e-methanol, bio-methanol or marine diesel oil. Norsepower’s wind propulsion is designed to work in synergy with the vessel’s methanol propulsion system, reducing fuel consumption and improving efficiency across the voyage rather than acting as a stand-alone add-on.
Spirit of Toulouse is the first of three sister ships — alongside Spirit of Mobile and Spirit of Mirabel —under charter to Airbus to move large aircraft sub-assemblies between the manufacturer’s production sites in Europe and North America.
Norsepower and LD Armateurs first announced their collaboration in early 2024. Construction began at the shipyard by October of that year, and the lead vessel was launched in February 2026. Rotor sail installation has now been completed ahead of sea trials.
Samira Draoua, CEO of LD Armateurs, said: “ Spirit of Toulouse is much more than a new vessel. It is a tangible demonstration of how the maritime industry can accelerate its transition by combining innovation, operational expertise, and strong industrial partnerships. Bringing together six rotor sails and dual-fuel methanol propulsion on a ship of this scale is a world first that illustrates LD Armateurs’ commitment to pioneering tangible solutions for lower-carbon shipping.”
Heikki Pöntynen, CEO of Norsepower, said: “Completing installation of six Norsepower Rotor Sails on Spirit of Toulouse is a significant milestone for wind propulsion in the RoRo segment. Working in synergy with the vessel’s dual-fuel methanol engines, the rotor sails give LD Armateurs a vessel designed to cut fuel consumption and emissions from her first voyage. We’re proud of how smoothly this project has moved from agreement to installation, and we look forward to seeing the technology proven out on the transatlantic route.”
Fitting six rotor sails to a single hull is a demanding undertaking, and the shipyard project team built a dedicated construction plan for the job, refined through expert review and clearly defined roles before work began on site.
Commissioning activities commenced immediately following the installation of the first rotor sail. With all sails installed, the rotor sails will undergo comprehensive testing during the vessel’s upcoming sea trials to confirm their performance and seamless integration with onboard systems. Further optimization and fine-tuning will continue during the maiden voyage from China to France, ensuring the technology delivers its full operational potential.
Jean-Baptiste Boutillier, Chief Operating Officer, LD Armateurs, added: “The collaboration with Norsepower on this project has been very smooth, setting a strong benchmark for the next two vessels. The installation site was a demanding one, on the coast and with real limitations on working conditions, but through careful planning and efficient execution we safely and accurately completed installation of the impressive 35m-high, 5m-diameter Norsepower Rotor Sails. We look forward to continuing this cooperation on the two vessels that will be equipped in the future.”
