A 121 metre RoRo ship developed for ArianeGroup
The Canopée is the very first modern sail-powered cargo ship. This pioneering ship will demonstrate the full potential of wind energy in delivering the decarbonised shipping sector of the future.
The cargo ship has been developed to meet ArianeGroup’s needs and transport the Ariane 6 space launcher from continental Europe to French Guiana where the Guiana space centre is located.
The ship meets particularly complex specifications, given the technical requirements in terms of packing (oversize dimensions, loading and unloading restrictions), as well as maritime limitations concerning access to the port of Pariacabo in Guiana (shallow waters, narrow Kourou river).
The Canopée makes up to 12 return trips to Guiana every year to meet the needs of ArianeGroup.
In addition to the use of wind power, which reduce polluting emissions (fine particles, sulphur dioxide, etc.), the ship is fitted with Diesel. It will achieve an average speed of 16 knots to meet its commercial targets.
Fitted with four articulated sails each covering 363 m2
IMO Tier III diesel mechanical propulsion
This 121 metre cargo ship is designed by the famous VPLP Design and is fitted with four articulated sails developed by Ayro.
As the sailing speed will vary based on the ArianeGroup commercial programme, the proportion of wind power use will vary between 15% and 40%, depending on the required speed and the season (variable winds depending on time of year).
Constructed by Neptune Shipyard in Poland, Canopée’s wings has been installed by AYRO in Caen in july 2023.
In figures:
Overall length: 121.00 m
Length between
perpendiculars: 118.20 m
Moulded breadth: 22.00 m
Moulded depth: 7.05 m
River draught: 3.80 m
Draught: 5.00 m
Deadweight: 5 400 t
Sails: 4 x 363 m2 Ayro Oceanwing sails
The choice of ArianeGroup to entrust us with transporting the Ariane 6 space launcher demonstrates our capacity to design specific and custom projects to meet complex industrial requirements.
Ports served
The components of the Ariane 6 launcher are built by the member countries of the Ariane programme.
These components are collected and routed to the Guiana space centre in Kourou.
The first crossing will arrive at the port of Pariacabo near Kourou, Guiana, after stopping at the ports of Bremen, Rotterdam, Le Havre and Bordeaux.
Canopée is operated by Alizés, a joint venture between Zéphyr & Borée and Jifmar, she is registered under French International Flag (RIF) since she was launched end of 2022
