Cargo airships | A Quebec client on the horizon for Flying Whales

The cargo airship project piloted by Flying Whales leaves no one indifferent. Its first potential client in Quebec, Chantiers Chibougamau, was also surprised by the ambitions of the French manufacturer. His curiosity could, however, allow him to move tens of tons of forest products by air within four years.

If the two companies formalized a partnership on Monday, they have already been collaborating for several years. It was the result of chance that brought the two companies together, says the general director of corporate development at Chantiers Chibougamau, Frédéric Verreault.

“In 2021, there was a new round of announcements concerning Flying Whales in Quebec,” he says. I don’t know what coffee I had, but I said to myself “maybe this is worth looking at (laughs)”. »

It was through Investissement Québec (IQ) that the Quebec specialist in wood products and kraft pulp – used in particular in the manufacturing of hygienic products and cardboard packaging – contacted the manufacturer and airship operator.

The team from the financial arm of the Quebec state, which had collaborated with Chantiers Chibougamau to relaunch the Lebel-sur-Quévillon factory, had also worked on Quebec’s investment (75 million) in Flying Whales.

“I contacted these teams saying that I would like to have more information on Flying Whales. This is how we were put in contact with them, summarizes Mr. Verreault. Discussions took place in 2021 to outline a framework for collaboration. A series of green lights came on. »

Far from the first flight

A modeling of the distances between harvesting points and the sawing complex of the family business located in Chibougamau has already been carried out. The same scenario must be repeated with the company’s other factories to determine whether it is realistic to consider the use of cargo airships.

Mr. Verreault hopes to have answers within 12 months to know if it is possible to integrate air transport gradually starting in 2028. It is still too early to have an idea of ​​the number of aircraft that could be deployed to meet the needs of Chantiers Chibougamau.

Based in France, Flying Whales aims to create cargo airships for transporting oversized loads – wind turbine blades, hydraulic turbines, mining equipment, etc. – which can reach up to 60 tonnes in inaccessible places, such as the Far North of Quebec. The aircraft will first be equipped with hybrid propulsion, then fully electric.

“There is no magic wand to decarbonize our supply chain,” says Mr. Verreault. This means thinking about several options. If we can move between 5 and 10% of the material we recycle by air, we will need fewer trucks and logging roads. »

Summer decision

In parallel with the work carried out with Chantiers Chibougamau, the Quebec subsidiary of the French manufacturer must be able to deliver devices. We are targeting 2027, once the manufacturing plant, which will include two gigantic hangars, has been inaugurated.

“We are evaluating Sherbrooke, Trois-Rivières and Drummondville,” underlines the general director of Flying Whales and president of the Quebec subsidiary Vincent Guibout. “There are still some studies to be done. The choice of site is still planned for the summer. »

Flying Whales customers do not necessarily become owners of the cargo airship. They pay for the service – also offered by the company. After an initial investment in 2019, the Legault government reinjected 55 million, in June 2022, into the share capital of the French company and that of its Quebec subsidiary.