A design for an LNG-fuelled, 2,500-teu boxship with integrated but partially retractable sails has received approval in principle from French classification society Bureau Veritas (BV).

The Trade Wings 2,500 containership was designed jointly by VPLP Design, Alwena Shipping, Shanghai Merchant Ship Design & Research Institute (SDARI) and AYRO. It has six Oceanwings sails installed on a vertical sliding mechanism.

The 197-metre-long vessel is equipped with an LNG-electric propulsion system with pods for manoeuvring, and the sails are used to minimise the 32,500-dwt vessel’s fuel consumption.