On the evening of September 2, Canopée, the world’s first hybrid propulsion commercial cargo vessel, arrived in Port Canaveral, Florida, for it’s first-ever visit to a U.S. port. The ship, equipped with four wing sails and on a mission to deliver components for the European Space Agency, made the journey from France, with a stop in Bremen, Germany. Its U.S. visit was to deliver the European Service Module (ESM-3) for NASA’s Artemis-III mission to the moon, scheduled for launch in September 2026. The cargo was offloaded by Ambassador Services International for transport to the Kennedy Space Centre, and Canopée left Florida on September 4 for its return trip to Belgium. Port Canaveral was excited to welcome the MV Canopée for its first U.S. visit and proud to support NASA and the European Space Agency as they gear up for a historic return to the Moon,” said Capt. John Murray, CEO of Port Canaveral. “This sail-assisted commercial vessel stands out in the maritime industry for its innovative design and the important cargo it’s transporting for space exploration.” Canopée, built by Neptune Shipyard in Poland, underwent its first sea trials in December 2022, with its impressive wing sails installed in 2023. Developed by AYRO, these sails are each over 120 feet tall and cover 363 square meters. They feature two flaps—one at the front and one at the rear—that can adjust their angle and rotate 360 degrees relative to the wind, with the rear flap pivoting to create optimal camber. The sails are collapsible and help reduce fuel consumption by up to 30 percent.