Michelin’s inflatable sails turn giant polluting cargo ships into giant sailing ships
The global shipping industry contributes about 3% to all global greenhouse gas emissions, so companies are trying to help the industry go "green."
Key takeaways
- Developed as a joint project between Michelin and two Swiss inventors the wing sail system isn't meant to replace ship engines but augment them with a clean, free, readily available power source.
- Used on its own or in groups, the wing sail transforms wind into forward momentum to decrease overall vessel fuel consumption by 10 to 20 percent, according to Michelin.
- From there, it will run a trial atop a merchant ship in 2022 ahead of planned production.
Cite or link to this article
Griffin, M. (2021) 'Michelin’s inflatable sails turn giant polluting cargo ships into giant sailing ships', 311 Institute, 4 October. Available at: https://www.311institute.com/michelins-inflatable-sails-turn-giant-polluting-cargo-ships-into-giant-sailing-ships/ (Accessed: 1 October 2026).
Beyond putting rubber on the world's hypercars Michelin also has its hand in more sustainable inflatable endeavours and have unveiled their Wing Sail Mobility (WISAMO) project, an inflatable sail system which reduces the fuel consumption of cargo ships by turning them into giant sailing ships on demand.
Developed as a joint project between Michelin and two Swiss inventors the wing sail system isn't meant to replace ship engines but augment them with a clean, free, readily available power source. The automated sail collapses like an accordion over top of the deck when not in use. At the push of a button, the sail inflates into full, puffy airplane wing-like glory with help from an air compressor and a rising telescopic mast.
Used on its own or in groups, the wing sail transforms wind into forward momentum to decrease overall vessel fuel consumption by 10 to 20 percent, according to Michelin.
The company claims that the dual-sided surface of the inflated sail improves performance over traditional flat sails, particularly when it comes to sailing upwind. And we're sure it doesn't hurt that the big, baffled sail ties in nicely with the rubbery folds of the pudgy Michelin Man, serving as something of a highly visible Michelin billboard.
See the concept in action
The WISAMO system is automated, an important point since merchant ships likely won't have the manpower or expertise necessary to work a traditional sail. The system also works in repositioning the wing sails to the optimum position for wind conditions.
Michelin says the wing sail is able to hold up to stormy conditions, absorbing energy with its inflated body. Should the conditions prove too rough, it can retract quickly until the skies clear, something that's also necessary when cruising under bridges and into harbors.
The WISAMO wing sail is a plug-and-play design that can be retrofitted to existing vessels or integrated into new builds, and Michelin says that it's particularly well-suited to commercial roll-on roll-off ships, bulk carriers and tankers, but can also be used on pleasure craft.
Michelin highlighted the WISAMO project at this month's Movin' On global sustainability summit. It has built a 100-sq-m (1,076-sq-ft) sail, and plans to finish testing atop a sailboat with help from French sailor and racer Michel Desjoyeaux. From there, it will run a trial atop a merchant ship in 2022 ahead of planned production. The company intends for the wing sails to contribute to the much broader long-term goal of cutting 50+ percent of global maritime transport emissions by 2050.
Source: Michelin
What this means for your organisation
Fuel savings become a retrofit choice.
Michelin says the WISAMO sail is plug-and-play. It can be fitted to existing vessels or built into new ones. Wind-assisted ship propulsion as a category is rated TRL 9 in 311 data, with first products in 2010.
Emissions pressure on shipping will grow.
Shipping adds about 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Michelin ties its sails to a goal of cutting 50 percent or more of maritime transport emissions by 2050. Decarbonisation rules could also drive more ship recycling, which 311 tracks towards 2028.
Automation decides who can use it.
The sail works on its own because merchant ships likely lack the crew and skills to run a traditional sail. It repositions for the wind and retracts in rough weather or under bridges. That fits the wider move to remotely run ships, which 311 expects to reach wide use around 2036.
Three questions for your next leadership meeting
- Which of our vessels could take a retrofit wing sail?
- What would a 10 to 20 percent fuel saving change in our shipping costs?
- Are we watching the 2022 merchant ship trial before we commit?
The trends and technologies behind this story
From the 311 Starburst, the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit’s map of the technologies and trends shaping the next 50 years.
Analysis by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit, from Matthew Griffin’s article and 311 data. First published on Fanatical Futurist.
FAQ
Why does this matter?
The global shipping industry contributes about 3% to all global greenhouse gas emissions, so companies are trying to help the industry go "green."
About the author
Matthew Griffin Founder, President and Futurist, 311 Institute
Matthew Griffin is a multi-award winning Futurist and expert in Disruption and Innovation, Geopolitics, Leadership, and Technology, who NASA have described as a "walking encyclopaedia of the future" and a "futurist Polymath."
Read full bio
Matthew Griffin is a multi-award winning Futurist and expert in Disruption and Innovation, Geopolitics, Leadership, and Technology, who NASA have described as a "walking encyclopaedia of the future" and a "futurist Polymath." 17-time best selling author of the "Codex of the Future" series, Matthew is the Founder, President and Futurist of the 311 Institute, a global Futures and Deep Futures advisory firm working with royal households, world leaders, G7, G20, and G77 governments, NGOs, and multi-national mid and mega cap firms to help them explore, shape, and lead the next 50 years of business and society.
An award-winning YouTube creator with over a million followers, with an unrivalled global reach and impact, Matthew is a highly sought-after international keynote speaker, lecturer, and mentor who collaborates with global leaders through the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) and United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to shape pivotal initiatives such as the UN’s AI for Humanity program, the United Nations Conference of the Parties (UN COP), and the World Economic Forum in Davos.
As the former Global Head of Cloud, National Security, and Enterprise Sales for companies including Atos, Dell-EMC, and IBM, Matthew has a proven track record of building multi-billion dollar business units and turning failing divisions into market leaders. His ability to identify, analyse, and communicate the implications of hundreds of emerging technologies and trends is unparalleled, and his insights are trusted by many of the world’s most respected organisations, including ABB, Accenture, Adidas, AON, ARM, BCG, Centrica, Citi, Coca-Cola, Dentons, Deloitte, Dow Jones, EY, Google, KPMG, Lego, Legal & General, LinkedIn, Microsoft, PepsiCo, Qualcomm, RWE, Samsung, Siemens AG and Siemens Energy, T-Mobile, UBS, VISA, Walmart, Workday, Worldpay and many others.
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Sources and further reading
Source: first published by the 311 Institute on 4 October 2021. Cite as: Griffin, M. (2021). Michelin’s inflatable sails turn giant polluting cargo ships into giant sailing ships. 311 Institute. https://www.311institute.com/michelins-inflatable-sails-turn-giant-polluting-cargo-ships-into-giant-sailing-ships/
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