The world’s largest cargo sailboat, Neoliner Origin, completed its first transatlantic voyage on 30 October, despite damage to one of its sails during the journey. The 136-metre vessel had to rely partly on its auxiliary motor and remaining sail after the aft sail was damaged in a storm shortly after departure. The French-built roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) cargo ship, equipped with two semi-rigid sails, first stopped at Saint Pierre and Miquelon, a French overseas territory near Canada, before continuing to Baltimore, United States. Neoline, the company behind the project, said the damage reduced the ship’s full wind-powered performance. CEO Jean Zanuttini described the crossing as a valuable experience in handling large sails across the North Atlantic, especially during late-season storms. Despite the challenges, the vessel showed resilience, reaching its destination with only a brief delay at Saint Pierre. The Neoliner Origin is designed to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 80–90% compared with conventional diesel-powered cargo ships. According to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), global shipping accounts for roughly 3% of worldwide greenhouse gas emissions. Zanuttini emphasized the company’s goal to balance industrial needs with environmental responsibility, noting that wind propulsion is a free, abundant, and predictable energy source that does not harm ecosystems. The UK’s National Clean Maritime Research Hub reports that wind propulsion systems like those on the Neoliner Origin can reduce emissions by over 50% on new vessels optimized for wind, while retrofitted ships can achieve reductions of 5–20%, rising to 30% under favorable wind conditions. Designed by French naval engineering firm Mauric, the Neoliner Origin relies primarily on wind propulsion while maintaining reliable delivery schedules and efficient operation with a small crew. Inspired by historic sailing vessels, it incorporates modern systems such as advanced navigation, anti-drift mechanisms, and automated sail management to meet current safety and operational standards. The ship can carry up to 5,300 tonnes of cargo, including containers, vehicles, machinery, and specialized goods. On its maiden voyage, it arrived in Baltimore with Renault vehicles, French liqueurs, machinery, and other products. The Neoliner Origin is scheduled for monthly voyages between Europe and North America, maintaining a commercial cruising speed of approximately 11 knots.
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