Airbus Supply Ships Shifting to Wind Power

Airbus is replacing heavy fuel oil with wind power to run its transatlantic supply ship routes between Europe and the U.S..

The new shipping fleet will reduce the company’s average annual transatlantic carbon dioxide emissions by 63%, helping Airbus reach its decarbonization goals by 2030.

Video Spotlight:  

• Is Wind Power The Future of Shipping? (Oct 8, 2020, Ziroth)

This post is based on The Loadstar article, Airbus opts for wind power as it replaces its transatlantic supply ships, by Charlotte Goldstone, October 26, 2023, and the YouTube video in the spotlight.  Image source: Alvov/Shutterstock

Discussion Questions:

1. Comment on Airbus’ sustainability strategy.

Guidance: Airbus’ sustainability strategy is about focusing on environmentally-friendly operations, working to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by running its transatlantic supply ships on wind power instead of heavy fuel oils. Airbus is expected to reduce its average annual carbon dioxide emissions from 68,000 to 33,000 tons by 2030.

2. Discuss the relationship between Airbus’ sustainability strategy and supply chain management.

Guidance: Airbus needs to transport aircraft sub-assemblies between its production facilities in Europe and the U.S.. By using wind-assisted propulsion to reduce its transatlantic supply ships’ carbon dioxide emissions, Airbus is pursuing sustainability practices in supply chain management.