LDA’s methanol-powered “Spirit of Toulouse” gets Norsepower rotor sail in Shanghai

French shipowner LD Armateurs on Thursday (10 September) said its new RoRo vessel has reached another major milestone in her construction journey with the start of the installation of a wind-assisted propulsion system. 

Following its launch earlier this year, Spirit of Toulouse has completed a journey along the Yangtze River to Shanghai. 

Now in Shanghai, the installation of the vessel’s innovative wind-assisted propulsion system has begun with the fitting of the first of its six 35-metre-high rotors. 

“This highly visible phase marked a significant step forward in bringing to life the world’s biggest low-emission RoRo vessels ever built,” the company said. 

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,” the company added. 

Photo credit: LD Armateurs
Published: 14 September, 2026