Neoliner Origin

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Neoliner Origin is a sail-powered roll-on/roll-off (ro-ro) cargo ship which began service on a transatlantic route in 2025. The vessel was developed by French company Neoline with the goal of reducing carbon emissions for merchant shipping. It is the largest sail-powered cargo ship in the world as of 2025.

Contents

Development

Neoline is a shipping company founded in 2015 by Jean Zanuttini and nine co-founders, with a vision of prioritising environmental responsibility. [1] Development of Neoliner Origin began in 2016, and in 2025 the vessel became the company's first vessel to be put into service. [2]

Specifications

Neoliner Origin is designed to use sails as its main propulsion. It is also equipped with a diesel-electric hybrid propulsion system for backup power. The ship is 136 metres (446 ft) in length, with a cargo capacity of 5,300 tonnes. [2] It is the largest sail-powered cargo ship in the world as of 2025. [3] [4] [5]

The vessel features two 1,500-square-metre (16,000 sq ft) sails, which were developed by Chantiers de l'Atlantique. [2] The sails are mounted on 76-metre (249 ft) masts, which can be lowered to allow passage beneath bridges and other structures with limited air-draft. [6] [7] Neoliner Origin has a maximum speed of 16 knots (18 mph; 30 km/h), with a cruising speed of up to 11 knots (13 mph; 20 km/h) using only the sails. [2]

Construction

Construction of the vessel began in November 2023. [8] The hull of Neoliner Origin was built at RMK Marine shipyard in Tuzla, Turkey, where it was launched early in 2025. Installation of the masts and sails was completed separately. [1]

After the completion of sea trials, the ship was handed over to its owner in September 2025. [8] On the ship's delivery journey from Turkey to Saint-Nazaire, Neoliner Origin paused in Bastia for its first loading operation. [8]

First transatlantic voyage

Neoliner Origin's first transatlantic voyage was completed in October 2025, taking eight days from Saint-Nazaire to Saint Pierre and Miquelon (off the Canadian coast) en route to Baltimore. [9]

Among the cargo on the maiden voyage was a shipment from French cosmetics company Clarins. Clarins and Neoline have been in partnership since 2021 seeking more sustainable shipping. [10] [11]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Hargreaves, Libby (3 February 2025). "Inside the World's Largest Wind-Powered Cargo Ship". SupplyChainDigital.com. Retrieved 2 November 2025.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Vessel Review | Neoliner Origin – France's Neoline to deploy sailing Ro-Ro cargo ship on trans-Atlantic routes". Baird Maritime / Work Boat World. 29 October 2025. Retrieved 2 November 2025.
  3. ↑ "World's largest cargo sailboat makes first transatlantic crossing". Reuters. 31 October 2025. Retrieved 4 November 2025– via YouTube.
  4. ↑ Viviano, Meg Walburn (30 October 2025). "World's Largest Sailing Cargo Ship Arrives in Baltimore in Maiden Transatlantic Voyage". Chesapeake Bay Magazine . Retrieved 4 November 2025.
  5. ↑ Cavanagh, Michaela (19 November 2025). "Onboard the world's largest sailing cargo ship: is this the future of travel and transport?". The Guardian . Retrieved 21 November 2025.
  6. ↑ "Neoliner Origin: Sail-Powered Cargo Ship Delivered for Inaugural Atlantic Voyage". Nautical Nova. 6 October 2025. Retrieved 2 November 2025.
  7. ↑ Drăgan, Otilia (15 October 2025). "World's First Commercial Sailing Ro-Ro Ship Is Headed to Baltimore". AutoEvolution.com. Retrieved 2 November 2025.
  8. 1 2 3 Kosmajac, Sara (15 October 2025). "Neoliner Origin, the 'world's first' sailing RoRo vessel, is finally here". Offshore Energy. Retrieved 2 November 2025.
  9. ↑ Karsten, Jens (30 October 2025). "Neoline's new sailing Ro-Ro completes first trans-Atlantic crossing". Baird Maritime / Work Boat World. Retrieved 2 November 2025.
  10. ↑ "Clarins s'associe avec Neoline pour des transports maritimes plus durables" [Clarins is partnering with Neoline for more sustainable maritime transport.]. Journal du Luxe (in French). 21 May 2021. Retrieved 25 March 2024.
  11. ↑ "Saint-Nazaire. Clarins s'engage auprès de Neoline, armateur des cargos à voile" [Saint-Nazaire. Clarins is partnering with Neoline, the shipping company that operates sailing cargo ships.]. Ouest-France (in French). 13 May 2021. Retrieved 25 March 2024.
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