Chantiers de l’Atlantique awarded AiP for rigid sail
Chantiers de l’Atlantique's sailing propulsion system has received an AiP from Bureau Veritas
(Source: Chantiers de l’Atlantique)
Classification society Bureau Veritas has issued an Approval in Principle (AiP) to French shipbuilder, Chantiers de l’Atlantique, for its Solid Sail, a 1,200m2 rigid sail comprising composite materials specially developed for large vessels. The new technology is one result of the cruise shipbuilder’s 14-year-old Ecorizon® strategy, focused on energy and environmental efficiency.
The large size of the sail has been facilitated by its composite panel assembly. This overcomes the usual size limitations of standard fabric sails, the company said in a statement. The rigidity of the sail panels also contributes to longevity because there is less flapping, it explained.
Chantiers de l’Atlantique senior vice president, Frédéric Grizaud, commented: “The concept of Solid Sail is the first of its kind, and is the most advanced and innovative solution of sailing propulsion of the large ships market. The integration on board a passenger ship of such an innovative solution is only possible thanks to the tremendous collaborative work done with Bureau Veritas on its new rules on Wind Assisted Propulsion.”
Speaking for the classification society, senior vice president Technical & Operations, Laurent Leblanc, said: "The power of the wind, even if it is not always available, can make a significant contribution to GHG free ship propulsion and ship design. We are pleased to deliver this AiP to Chantiers de l’Atlantique, bringing trust in wind propulsion systems and supporting the GHG emission reduction of shipping more generally.”
