A testing and research center of Airseas, a French company specialized in the development of wind technologies for maritime propulsion, was inaugurated on Wednesday in the municipality of El Argoub (60 km from Dakhla), marking a key step in the decarbonization of global maritime transport.
Mobilizing an investment of 50 million dirhams (MDH), this center, which spans 80 hectares, has advanced facilities to test and optimize the “Seawing,” an automated wing of 1,000 m², designed to reduce fuel consumption of ships by 20%.
This innovative system uses automated piloting through artificial intelligence to optimize the trajectory and maximize efficiency, especially since its installation is quick and adaptable to various types of ships.
The site includes a 2,400 m² hangar, with mechanical and electronic workshops, as well as a control center simulating navigation conditions.
In a statement to the press, the general director of the regional investment center (CRI) of Dakhla-Oued Eddahab, Mounir Houari, emphasized that this project has created approximately 30 direct jobs, noting that “the region is experiencing strong demand for projects related to renewable energies, which will have a positive impact on local economic development.”
For his part, the president and CEO of Airseas, Masao Nakayama, indicated that the Dakhla-Oued Eddahab region was the best choice for the realization of this innovative project, given its favorable climatic conditions, noting that this region has all the assets to promote green and sustainable development.
On his side, the director of the Airseas Morocco project, Adrien Fortin, stated that the creation of this site aims to make it a testing center for our “Seawing” product, in order to continue testing and improving it to achieve our goal of reducing fuel consumption of ships by 20%.
Notably participating in the inauguration ceremony of this testing center were the secretary general of the province of Oued Eddahab, Mohamed Dahbi, elected officials, and the consuls general of several countries in Dakhla, as well as Moroccan and foreign economic operators.