WISAMO, Michelin’s wingsail that addresses the challenges of decarbonizing maritime transport, has reached a pivotal point in its development. The French Directorate general for Maritime Affairs, Fisheries, and Aquaculture (DGAMPA) has selected Michelin and Socarenam to design, build, and equip an innovative offshore patrol vessel with an unprecedented combination of hybrid and wind-assisted propulsion.

A “Made in France” collaboration

This new patrol vessel project – the successor to the Iris, which was designed nearly 40 years ago – is the result of a collaboration between three French companies:  Mauric, the naval architecture firm responsible for the design; Socarenam, the shipyard in charge of construction; and Michelin, which will equip the vessel with an innovative WISAMO wind propulsion technology.

The WISAMO wingsail, with a surface area of 170 m²/1,829 ft², will provide additional wind-assisted propulsion to complement the hybrid diesel-electric system. A fuel consumption reduction of approximately 15% is expected through optimizations of the design and the vessel’s operational profile. These unique features have made it possible to meet the DGMPA's expectations in terms of environmental performance without impacting the ship's operations and without limiting its intervention capabilities.

WISAMO will be involved with the architectural firm and shipyard from the ship’s early design and development phases in 2025. It will also follow up on the onboard installation, scheduled for early 2027, until the full handover of the equipment. The Michelin teams will also be present for the sea trials, expected to take place at the end of that same year.

A key milestone in WISAMO’s ambitious development plan

This trust in the WISAMO wingsail for this next-generation patrol vessel validates the technological choices for this solution. Indeed, its ease of use and fully retractable design make it a true “Swiss Army knife” of wind propulsion.

In the coming years, WISAMO aims to develop a broad range of wingsails to support the decarbonization of all types of ships, including sizeable vessels (large pleasure craft and work or cargo vessels, from 60 feet to 60 meters).

WISAMO, an innovative solution that adapts to all types of ships

WISAMO offers an innovative, pragmatic solution to provide for today’s continually evolving maritime context. The concept consists of a telescopic, inflatable wingsail that harnesses the cost-free predictable energy of the wind to propel ships. It includes an intuitive, automated control system and a simplified interface that greatly reduces the shortcomings of vessel integration. Adaptable to a wide range of ships over 15 to 20 meters, Michelin’s WISAMO wingsail can be used as a primary propulsion system or in a hybrid configuration providing additional energy to supplement the engine.

WISAMO makes it possible to reduce fuel consumption through wind propulsion with its system based on three key components:

• A self-supporting telescopic mast that is fully retractable, allowing it to be deployed or stowed as needed.
• A durable lightweight fabric envelope that is inflated at low pressure to form a symmetrical wingsail profile.
• A fully automated control system that manages all sail functions (hoisting, lowering, adjusting, maneuvering, reefing, and protective stowage according to environmental conditions), eliminating the need for additional crew workload.

The ship

This new patrol vessel will be assigned maritime surveillance within the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), monitoring vessels of all sizes and supporting the French government’s maritime operations.

Beyond the surveillance and regulatory enforcement of fisheries, it will also ensure navigation monitoring, maritime pollution control, environmental law enforcement, and search-and-rescue operations.

It will be based in La Rochelle and operated along the Atlantic coast, particularly in the Bay of Biscay. This is where the WISAMO was successfully tested, demonstrating the endurance of its system for several months in 2023 aboard the MN Pelican.

Michelin, more than 130 years of leadership in innovation

Polymer development, process engineering, high-tech material mastery, data exploitation... Since it was founded, the Michelin Group has placed innovation at the heart of its priorities. To do so, the Group relies heavily on the strength of its Research and Development. With more than 6,000 researchers worldwide, an annual innovation budget of €1.2 billion, and 11,000 active patents, the Group continues to invent solutions to enhance mobility and improve life on the move.