Page 74 - Livre_MOW2022_EN

72 | SOLUTIONS FOR THE OCEAN / INNOVATIONS

WISAMO,

wind innovation

Let’s imagine a fleet of container ships moving CONCLUSIVE TEST RUNS
forward under sail, without emitting any noise or any
greenhouse gases. Is this vision of decarbonised and Convinced by the project and now a consultant for
sustainable shipping on the verge of becoming a rea- the Group, sailor Michel Desjoyeaux commented
lity? At the last talk of the day, the latest advances on his first tests on Lake Neuchâtel and the winter
regarding the Wing Sail Mobility (WISAMO) project waters of the Bay of Biscay: “Wind energy is clean,
were presented by Michelin Group’s Research & De- free and universal. Furthermore, sail power is not a
velopment team. controversial issue. Its use is more than promising
for improving the environmental impact of merchant
This inflatable futuristic sail, adapted to all shipping ships”, commented the skipper, ambassador of this
routes, is equipped with a telescopic mast, which technology which will be installed on the ro-ro contai-
facilitates port manoeuvres, sailing through bridges ner ship “MN Pelican” belonging to the Nantes-based
and various sea conditions. It can be used alone, but shipping company and which will be sailing between
it is also possible to install several of them in order Spain and the English coastline (end of 2022).
to maximise wind-driven performance. According to
engineers, it could be adapted to ro-ro vessels, bulk
carriers, gas carriers and tankers, huge vessels which
require a significant propulsive capacity. “The system
will help save up to 20% of fuel, which will contribute
to the reduction of CO emissions related to maritime THE
2
transport”, explains Fabien Monin from Michelin.

The maritime market represents 90% of global trade
and is estimated to increase three-fold by 2050. It is
responsible for 3% of CO emissions worldwide and
2
11% of CO generated by the transport sector.
IN 2
FIGURES

- 20% of fuel