The French ship Anemos, the largest modern sailing cargo ship, completed its maiden voyage on Tuesday, between Le Havre and New York, a new step in the revival of sailing freight transport. It took the 81-metre-long ship 18 days to transport more than a thousand tonnes of goods across the Atlantic, according to the TOWT company.
“These are the largest cargo ships in the world and we are starting to have an impact” on maritime transport, TOWT chairman Guillaume Le Grand told AFP. Anemos’ twin sister, Artemis, is due to set sail from Vietnam on her maiden voyage on Wednesday. “We were fully loaded on this crossing and demand is high”explained the manager. On board, among other things, were champagne, cognac and jam.
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First trip “a bit complicated”
Six other vessels of the same type have already been ordered from the Piriou shipyards in Concarneau (Finistère), with the entire fleet expected to be operational by 2027. Founded in 2011, TOWT is now the leading French cargo carrier under sail. According to the company, the carbon dioxide emissions of its vessels are around 90% lower than those of a traditional container ship.
This first trip will have been “a little complicated”conceded the captain, Hadrien Busson. “We are improving the positioning of the sails”he explained. A free and widely available energy, wind is already used by about 40 large cargo ships around the world, according to the International Windship Association.
A drop in the ocean in a global fleet that includes more than 105,000 ships of more than 100 tons. Especially since sailing is currently only used as a supplementary force, allowing fuel savings that rarely exceed 20%, depending on the system used (rotors, rigid wing, kite). Anemos will now sail to Santa Marta, Colombia, before returning to Le Havre, with full holds. About a dozen return trips are planned each year from Le Havre.
