Louis Dreyfus Armateurs to equip Ro-Ro with Airbus’ kite propulsion system

French shipowner Louis Dreyfus Armateurs (LDA) Group is set to equip one of its cargo vessels with a new kite propulsion system developed by Airbus subsidiary Airseas.

The Seawing system will be permanently fitted on the 21,500DWT freight-only Ro-Ro Ville de Bordeaux beginning in 2020.

The incorporation of Seawing on the vessel was influenced by the "positive results" that were achieved during LDA's testing of the system, company president Edouard Louis-Dreyfus said in a statement.

The use of kite propulsion technology on one of its vessels is the latest step taken by LDA following its decision to venture into wind-powered shipping. Earlier this year, the company began the design phase of a large transoceanic Ro-Ro with full integration of wind-assisted propulsion.