Spirit of Toulouse Arrives in Shanghai for Rotor Installation

The Spirit of Toulouse, LD Armateurs’ pioneering next-generation RoRo vessel, has reached another major milestone in her construction journey.  

Following her launch earlier this year, the vessel has completed an extraordinary journey along the Yangtze River to Shanghai. The Spirit of Toulouse travelled upriver in what can only be compared to an exceptional convoy operation, carefully navigating one of the world’s busiest river transport corridors before reaching the shipyard where construction will continue.  

Now in Shanghai, the installation of the vessel’s innovative wind-assisted propulsion system has begun with the fitting of the first of her six 35-metre-high rotors. This highly visible phase marks a significant step forward in bringing to life the world’s biggest low-emission RoRo vessels ever built.  

Combining six Norsepower Rotor Sails ™ and two dual- fuel engines capable of running on e-/bio-methanol or marine diesel oil, the Spirit of Toulouse has been specifically designed to substantially reduce emissions while maintaining the highest standards of operational performance and reliability. The ship will operate on the Atlantic route, transporting aircraft elements for Airbus between European production sites and the final assembly line in the US. 

As work progresses in Shanghai, the silhouette of the Spirit of Toulouse is beginning to take shape, bringing this unique vessel one step closer to entering service and setting new standards for sustainable maritime transport.