The hybrid-wind power cargo ship Canopée is currently en route to Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, loaded with two vital components of the Ariane 6 flight launcher.
The 3,150 dwt ro-ro vessel Canopée was built by Neptune Shipyard in Poland. It has an overall length of 121 m, a breadth of 22 m, and a draught of 5 m. Canopée will make up to 12 return trips to Guiana annually, moving components for ArianeGroup’s Ariane 6 space launcher. The vessel features four articulated sails that supplement diesel/LNG engines. Zéphyr & Borée contracted VPLP Design to design the ship, which meets the specific needs of rocket and satellite transport.
The cryogenic upper stage of the Ariane 6 rocket was integrated in Bremen site, while the cryogenic core stage was integrated at ArianeGroup’s Les Mureaux site, near Paris. After undergoing a series of functional tests, the two stages were taken to the ports of Bremen, on February 5, and Le Havre, on February 10, respectively. The vessel should reach the port of Pariacabo in Kourou at the end of February.
