Due to be installed on the Pelican ship in November 2022, the prototype of Michelin's Wisamo (Wing Sails Mobility) inflatable sail has begun testing, which should last until the end of this year.

The wing, with a wingspan of 100 m², is to be used for 6 to 8 hours over a 30-hour crossing, in order to collect sufficiently relevant data after several runs.

This new type of sail will be tested on the ship Pelican, chartered to Compagnie Maritime Nantaise by Brittany Ferries, on routes between Poole (Great Britain) and Bilbao (Spain).

This prototype underwent numerous tests and adjustments between 2022 and April 2023, when the Norwegian classification society DNV finally gave the Michelin Group the go-ahead for this Wisamo sail.

This retractable and automatable wing has three functions: automatic hoisting of the wing, automatic lowering and a command in the event of difficulties.

The Michelin group, which estimates that a sail of this type could reduce a ship's fuel consumption by up to 20%, hopes in this way, alongside Brittany Ferries, to blaze a new trail in favour of the decarbonisation of maritime transport.