Airseas was founded in 2016 by aeronautical engineers. We design, produce and install wind propulsion technologies to contribute to the decarbonisation of the maritime sector.
Together, we develop Seawing, one of the market’s most competitive renewable energy propulsion systems, and plan to deploy it at scale from 2025. Our goal ? To implement our solution on approximately 600 ships by 2030. At Airseas, we also strive to build a robust ecosystem prior to large-scale production by developing a resilient business model that generates value and jobs.
To power with innovation
At the crossroads between aeronautics (our initial background) and maritime (our current sector), we create bridges between these technological worlds to develop a unique and efficient technology.
To power with commitment
We are committed to creating a clean solution that helps to protect the oceans. Our ambition is to share a global vision of the company’s role, through a responsible approach encompassing all facets of our organisation.
To power with people
Airseas is foremost a human adventure. We bring together people passionate about oceans, technology and innovation. The diversity of talents and personalities within Airseas makes us more open to society and committed to its future.
We are driven by excellence.
We are Airseas
Important events that built our company:
We proved our concept on Airbus' and Louis Dreyfus Armateurs' vessel "Ciudad de Cadiz", and manage to convince Airbus to invest in the company.
We signed our first order with Airbus: a Seawing with a 500m² wing to equip the Ville de Bordeaux, a Louis Dreyfus Armateurs ship carrying A320 parts to the United States.
We signed a contract with Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha ('K' Line), a Japanese shipowner with the fifth largest fleet in the world, to equip one of their ships with our future standard product. An option was also placed for another 49 systems. 4 new firm orders were signed since this first date.
We moved to our new premises in the city of Nantes, where the new French maritime industry is developing. We finalise the construction of the first Seawing and install it in Bordeaux in December.
Seawing is conducting its first full-scale trials on transatlantic commercial routes, and we are preparing for the installation of the system on the first 'K' Line ship.
Airseas' business is acquired by Japanese shipowner Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha 'K' Line through the French company OCEANICWING created in January 2024
Our team
The Airseas community comprises more than one hundred and ten men and women from various sectors: aeronautics, maritime, automation, mechanics, electronics and support functions, who share strong convictions about environmental and societal issues.
The various operational and support teams are grouped around a programme team and a management team.
Benoît Gagnaire
System Performance Manager and Co-founder
A former Airbus engineer specializing in Aerodynamics, Flight Mechanics/Modelling, and Performance. Involved in wind tunnel test campaigns and several major Airbus flight tests, including the A400M, A350 and A320 Neo programs. Benoît is a recognized expert in flight dynamics, with in-depth experience in design and wind tunnel testing.
Pierre-Yves Fouché
General Manager
An ICAM engineer with an MBA, Pierre-Yves began his career as an industrialization project manager for German automotive companies. He then took over the management of an industrial sheet metal factory in Brittany, which he left to manage the creation and development of a titanium hot stamping business for the aerospace industry before joining Airseas in 2022. Pierre-Yves focuses on international project management, operations, supply chain management and business development.
Romain Gibon
Programs Manager
Romain has spent 17 years developing and managing projects and contractual relationships with clients and subcontractors. He is an expert in marine works, and new business in the oil and gas and offshore wind industries. He has managed complex projects for Alstom GE wind, LBC Sogestrol and Stoltoffshore for a budget over $400M. Romain was a skipper in the America's Cup.
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Airseas is a fast-growing business and regularly reinforces its teams. Discover our job offers or send us your application.
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