Eco-Conscious Airbus: Fleet Renewal for Sustainable Transatlantic Transport

Eco-Conscious Airbus: Fleet Renewal for Sustainable Transatlantic Transport

(IN BRIEF) Airbus is set to renew its fleet of chartered vessels that transport aircraft subassemblies between Europe and the United States. They will be replaced with three modern, low-emission roll-on/roll-off vessels that utilize wind-assisted propulsion. Airbus has partnered with shipowner Louis Dreyfus Armateurs for this initiative, with the vessels expected to be in service by 2026. This renewal is expected to significantly reduce annual transatlantic CO2 emissions and aligns with Airbus’ commitment to reduce industrial emissions by up to 63% by 2030. The vessels will be powered by wind and dual-fuel engines and will optimize routes for maximum efficiency. This initiative also supports Airbus’ goal of increasing A320 family production.

(PRESS RELEASE) TOULOUSE, 25-Oct-2023 — /EuropaWire/ — Airbus SE (EPA: AIR), a European multinational aerospace corporation, is embarking on a major initiative to modernize its entire fleet of chartered vessels responsible for transporting aircraft subassemblies between production facilities in Europe and the United States. This renewal plan involves the deployment of three state-of-the-art, low-emission roll-on/roll-off vessels with innovative wind-assisted propulsion.

In a significant partnership, Airbus has entrusted shipowner Louis Dreyfus Armateurs with the construction, ownership, and operation of these cutting-edge vessels, slated to enter service starting in 2026.

The upcoming fleet represents a substantial commitment to reducing carbon emissions. By 2030, it is anticipated to cut average annual transatlantic CO2 emissions from 68,000 to 33,000 tonnes. This proactive measure aligns with Airbus’ overarching goal of reducing its industrial emissions by up to 63% by the end of the decade, based on a 2015 baseline, in line with the 1.5°C pathway outlined in the Paris Agreement.

“The renewal of our marine fleet is a major step forward in reducing our environmental impact,” said Nicolas Chrétien, Head of Sustainability & Environment at Airbus. “The latest generation of vessels proposed by Louis Dreyfus Armateurs are more fuel efficient than their predecessors, using cutting-edge technologies like wind-assisted propulsion. This demonstrates our determination to lead the way in decarbonising our sector by innovating not just in aviation, but across all our industrial operations.”

“We are very pleased to have been selected by Airbus to develop this state-of-the-art and low-emission fleet and to continue our longstanding partnership,” said Edouard Louis-Dreyfus, President, Louis Dreyfus Armateurs. “This new project, setting high targets, reflects our ambition regarding the decarbonisation of the shipping industry. We are proud to support our customers in their energy transition, going even beyond their expectations by offering innovative solutions and sustainably driving change.”

Airbus will gradually phase out the existing chartered vessels responsible for ferrying aircraft subassemblies across the Atlantic, connecting Saint-Nazaire, France, to its single-aisle aircraft final assembly line in Mobile, Alabama.

The novel vessels will harness an innovative propulsion system that combines six Flettner rotors—large, rotating cylinders capable of generating lift from wind power to propel the ship—with two dual-fuel engines running on maritime diesel oil and e-methanol. Advanced routing software will optimize the vessels’ transatlantic journeys, maximizing wind propulsion while avoiding unfavorable ocean conditions that could hinder progress.

This fleet renewal initiative also supports Airbus’ ambition to increase the production rate of its A320 family to 75 aircraft per month by 2026. Each of these new transatlantic vessels will have the capacity to transport approximately seventy 40-foot containers and six sets of single-aisle aircraft subassemblies, including wings, fuselage, engine pylons, horizontal and vertical tail planes. This marks a substantial improvement compared to the current cargo ships, which can transport only three to four sets.

About Louis Dreyfus Armateurs

For over 170 years, LOUIS DREYFUS ARMATEURS Group (LDA) has specialized in providing custom industrial maritime solutions with high-added-value activities and integrated services to its clients, ranging from ship design and ship management to maritime operations, in the fields of transport, logistics, submarine cables and renewable energy. LDA is a French family-owned Group, offering a worldwide presence with over 2,600 staff and 100 vessels. For more information, visit: www.lda.fr

Media contacts:

Philippe Gmerek
External Communications – Airbus
Phone: +33 6 13 19 37 27
philippe.gmerek@airbus.com

Capucine Sasso Rios
Louis Dreyfus Armateurs
Phone: +33 (0) 6 22 24 46 69
capucine.sasso-rios@lda.fr

SOURCE: AIRBUS