Chantiers de l’Atlantique has announced it has manufactured its first carbon-fiber mast in collaboration with Lorima, Mulitplast, Avel Robotics, CDK Technologies and SMM.

Sixty-six meters tall and 2 meters wide, the mast weighs approximately 20 tons, and can carry a SolidSail of 1,500 square meters.

SolidSail is a foldable sail made of 100 percent composite materials and has been created by Chantiers de l’Atlantique.

SolidSail is designed to propel Silenseas, which is currently being developed by the French shipbuilding company, and will be  the largest wind-powered cruise ship in the world. The concept can also be applied to cargo ships.

The Aeoldrive rig, which comprises the SolidSail mast and sail, is described as being fully automated, able to rotate 360 degrees, and the masts can rotate or tilt 70 degrees to go under bridges.

Chantiers de l’Atlantique said it is spearheading the design and manufacturing of tomorrow’s ships. Partly wind-powered, these ships may see their CO2 emissions reduced up to 40 percent, according to a prepared statement. Further work on energy efficiencies will reduce CO2 emissions by 25 to 40 percent.