Case Study 2 : Manta

PROJECT NAME

Manta – Sea Cleaner

RIG TYPE

DynaRig

LENGTH

56.5 metres

BUILDER

NAVAL ARCHITECT

Manta Innovation, SHIP-ST and LMG Marin.

RIG PARTNER

Southern Spars

YEAR

2025 / 2026

STATUS

In build

The vision

During his sailing sessions and regattas, Yves Bourgon, a French ocean adventurer, noticed that as more time passed, the more floating objects he observed in the seas and oceans. This is how he and his team came up with the idea of developing a large plastic eating catamaran, powered by the force of the wind to clean our oceans. This vessel will collect all the rubbish in its path and transform it into fuel, which will be used to power the boat forward, to collect even more waste.

Engineering the DynaRig Advantage

The Manta will be a large 56 metre length catamaran, equipped with two 1,500m2 DynaRigs, by Southern Spars, and electric motors for propulsion. These motors allow low speed manoeuvring for sensitive operations such as waste collection, which is carried out at 2 to 3 knots. They have chosen the DynaRig solution for their Sea Cleaner solution since it is a mature technology which has already proven its ability to provide a 100% wind powered, reliable, simple to use, safe and efficient way of travelling the seas and the oceans.

Automation & Control: The DynaRig enables fully automated sail deployment and trimming, operated at the touch of a button.
Energy Efficiency: With no need for winches or halyards, and reduced crew demands, the system minimises energy consumption while maximising power from the wind.
Performance: The unique rig configuration allows for optimal aerodynamic performance, providing smooth handling and high average speeds on long voyages.

Sustainability by Design

The Manta will be both agile and energy efficient and will be able to reach up to 12 knots. It will be able to operate autonomously for 75% of the time thanks to the 500kW of renewable energy generated on board from the two installed wind turbines, 500m2 of solar panels, two under-board hydro generators and the Waste to Energy Conversion Unit (WECU). All these technologies minimize the ecological impact of the vessel.

Wind as Primary Propulsion: DynaRig technology enables extended periods of silent, engine-free cruising.
Hybrid Systems: Integrated hybrid propulsion supports zero-emissions manoeuvring and power generation.

Challenges and Innovation

The Manta will be able to collect floating macro-waste and smaller pieces of debris from 10 millimetres and up to one metre deep, thanks to the technology on board. The boat is equipped with a waste sorting unit, which manually separates the waste according to its type, another unit then converts the collected waste into electricity through the pyrolysis process, which powers all the Manta’s electrical equipment. This method emits virtually no CO2 nor air pollutants. Experts estimate that the vessel will be able to collect between 1 and 3 tonnes of waste per hour, aiming to collect 5 to 10,000 tonnes per year.

A Symbol of the Future

The Manta will be able to collect floating macro-waste and smaller pieces of debris from 10 millimetres and up to one metre deep, thanks to the technology on board. The boat is equipped with a waste sorting unit, which manually separates the waste according to its type, another unit then converts the collected waste into electricity through the pyrolysis process, which powers all the Manta’s electrical equipment. This method emits virtually no CO2 nor air pollutants. Experts estimate that the vessel will be able to collect between 1 and 3 tonnes of waste per hour, aiming to collect 5 to 10,000 tonnes per year.