China: French shipowner launches wind-assisted methanol dual-fuel RoRo vessel built in China.

French shipowner LD Armateurs Saturday launched into water a second of its three next-generation low‑emission RoRo vessels built in Wuhan City of central China's Hubei Province. The wind-assisted methanol dual-fuel RoRo vessel named Spirit of Mobile was transferred into the water at Wuchang Shipbuilding Industry Group Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corporation Ltd., where it will undergo functional tests on its equipment including engines and electric system. With a volume of over 20,000 cubic meters, the vessel is powered by a combination of six 35-meter-tall rotor sails and two dual-fuel engines capable of running on e-methanol or marine diesel oil. Equipped with routing software to optimize the route, the ship is able to maximize wind propulsion and minimize drag from adverse ocean conditions, according to LD Armateurs. Scheduled to be delivered in November this year, it will mainly be used to carry aircraft components on a transatlantic route. LD Armateurs launched into water the Spirit of Toulouse, the first of the three orders, in February. Shotlist: Wuhan City, Hubei Province, central China - June 6, 2026: 1. Various of wind-assisted methanol dual-fuel RoRo vessel Spirit of Mobile being transferred into water; 2. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Cao Guoqiang, technical manager, Wuchang Shipbuilding Industry Group Co., Ltd. (starting with shot 1/ending with shot 3): "Both the RoRo vessel's main engine and generator engine can run on methanol or diesel oil. If the shipowner uses green methanol during operation, the ship can basically achieve zero carbon emissions. The shipowner ordered three such vessels, and the number of such customized ship orders will increase in the future."; FILE: Wuhan City, Hubei Province, central China - 2026 3. Various of wind-assisted methanol dual-fuel RoRo vessel under construction; 4. Various of vessel Spirit of Toulouse; FILE: Wuhan City, Hubei Province, central China - 2026 5. Various of animation showing dual-fuel RoRo vessel, rotor sails operating. [Restrictions: No access Chinese mainland]