- Neoline has ordered two cargo ships powered by the wind.
- The first sailboat will be built in 2020 in the Saint-Nazaire basin.
- It will transport goods between France and the United States.
Huge sails to propel a freight ship carrying up to 11,000 tonnes. This is the extremely ambitious project carried out by the Nantes start-up Neoline. There is nothing utopian about this, since two first cargo ships were ordered last July from the Loire industrial group Neopolia. And on Tuesday, the project's credibility was further strengthened with the announcement of two new partnerships.
The first support is that of EDF, which will financially help Neoline (around 3 million euros) in return for the issuance of energy saving certificates. The second support is that of the Compagnie maritime nantaise, a local shipowner who will acquire Neoline's capital (15%) and assist it in the operational part.
France-United States round trips
On the customer side, Renault (to deliver cars), Manitou (for handling equipment), and Bénéteau (for boats) have already signed up. Other companies have also expressed interest in shipping containers. “The commercial filling is sufficient to start the construction of the first ship. We are now entering a new phase ”, rejoices Jean Zanuttini, director of Neoline, who will have to pay between 40 and 50 million euros for the invoice of each boat.
The site, which will be largely carried out in Saint-Nazaire, should start "in the coming months". The first line will be launched in 2022. It will link Saint-Nazaire to Baltimore (United States) via Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon and Halifax (Canada). Two round trips per month are planned.
The equivalent of 500 cars
136m long and equipped with four folding masts, Neoline's sailing freighters could transport the equivalent of 280 containers or 500 cars. They will mainly navigate thanks to the force of the wind. A diesel engine and a battery pack will be used only for port maneuvers and on-board electricity.
“The objective is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from an ocean crossing by 90%. But, in the medium term, these are indeed zero-emission vessels that we are trying to manufacture, ”explains Michel Pery, president of Neopolia and former captain of the merchant navy. “This project combines industrial and ecological ambition. It is a real source of pride for our region, ”says Christelle Morance, LR president of the Pays-de-la-Loire regional council.
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