THE vessel named Canopee, hailed as the pioneering hybrid industrial ship featuring collapsible wing sails, is poised to commence operational service supporting the European Space Agency's Ariane programme, reports Fort Lauderdale's Maritime Executive.
With its distinctive sails integrated just last month, this ro-ro vessel with a deadweight tonnage of 5,500 has completed rigorous sea trials, priming itself to embark on commercial voyages, including routine transatlantic crossings.
The endeavour spanned six years to come to fruition, aimed at creating a wind-assisted vessel for ferrying components crucial to the European Space Agency's programme to the launch facility in French Guiana.
The ship's design was meticulously tailored to adhere to the exacting requirements of ArianeGroup, the overseer of the space programme, as well as to address the specific navigational challenges posed by the Pariacabo port area and the Kourou River's constraints in French Guiana.
Navigating shallow waters and the narrow confines of the Kourou River while carrying cargo were paramount considerations for the Canopee.
Fabricated under the expertise of Neptune Shipyard in Poland, the vessel was ready for its inaugural trials by December 2022.
Embarking on a testing journey from Bremen, Rotterdam, Le Havre and Bordeaux to the South American launch site on December 27, 2022.
The installation of the innovative sails reached completion in July, marking the initiation of the vessel's dockside and subsequent sea trials.
Devised by AYRO, each of the sails stands at 120 feet, encompassing an expansive surface area of 363 square metres.
These sails have two sections: one positioned forward and the other aft.
Notably, the design facilitates the adjustment of the wings' angle of incidence, allowing for a full 360-degree rotation in response to wind direction.
Additionally, the rear flap can pivot around the secondary mast, introducing a curvature in relation to the front flap. The sails can be conveniently collapsed when not in use.
AYRO's projections suggest that these wings yield significantly more power than conventional sails or single-element wings.
Anticipated operational speeds for the ship are expected to reach up to 16 knots to meet its commercial timetable.
The proportion of wind-assisted propulsion is projected to fluctuate between 15 and 40 per cent, contingent on the desired velocity and varying wind conditions that naturally shift with the seasons.
Complementing its wind power capabilities, the vessel is outfitted with two diesel engines, producing 3,840 kW. With the integration of these four wings, the ship aims to achieve an average reduction of 30 per cent in fuel consumption.
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