French shipowner Louis Dreyfus Armateurs (LDA) is preparing to order a new generation of rotor sail-equipped ro-ro vessels for transatlantic service carrying Airbus cargoes.

The aerospace group has commissioned LDA to implement the construction, and to own and operate three low-emission vessels incorporating dual-fuel main machinery and wind-assisted propulsion. The planned tonnage will replace the entire, existing flotilla of ro-ros chartered by Airbus to transport aircraft sub-assemblies between production plants in Europe and the USA.

The projected newbuilds are scheduled to be introduced from 2026 onwards, although a shipbuilding contract has yet to be announced.