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.

Development

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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

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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]

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.[5][6] 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

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Construction of the vessel began in November 2023.[7] 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.[7] On the ship's delivery journey from Turkey to Saint-Nazaire, Neoliner Origin paused in Bastia for its first loading operation.[7]

First transatlantic voyage

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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.[8]

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.[9][10]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Hargreaves, Libby (3 February 2025). "Inside the World's Largest Wind-Powered Cargo Ship". SupplyChainDigital.com. Retrieved 2 November 2025.
  2. ^ a b c d "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. ^ "Neoliner Origin: Sail-Powered Cargo Ship Delivered for Inaugural Atlantic Voyage". Nautical Nova. 6 October 2025. Retrieved 2 November 2025.
  6. ^ Drăgan, Otilia (15 October 2025). "World's First Commercial Sailing Ro-Ro Ship Is Headed to Baltimore". AutoEvolution.com. Retrieved 2 November 2025.
  7. ^ a b c Kosmajac, Sara (15 October 2025). "Neoliner Origin, the 'world's first' sailing RoRo vessel, is finally here". Offshore Energy. Retrieved 2 November 2025.
  8. ^ 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.
  9. ^ "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.
  10. ^ "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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