The Neoliner Origin just departed on its maiden voyage from Saint-Nazaire in Brittany. As the world’s first AI-powered, fully electric large cargo ship, this groundbreaking vessel makes a giant step towards sustainable maritime transport. This innovative vessel is powered primarily by two semi-rigid sails constructed from carbon and fibreglass, supplemented by a backup diesel-electric engine. The Neoliner Origin has a major mission in mind – taking the carbon footprint out of shipping. It’s a fun ride. Along that route to Baltimore, it’s already got some 500,000 bottles of Hennessy cognac and the components for refrigerated French brioche in its holds.
Captain Antonin Petit, who is in charge of the ship’s crew of more than a dozen, will be in charge of eight passengers. For Petit, this trip will be the realization of a 15-year dream operating the Neoliner Origin. He reasserts the ship’s purpose of pioneering greener, faster transportation modes in the marine trade. It’s a trip of more than 9,500 kilometers (5,900 miles), taking around 22 days. At least 30 hours on trains and 15 days over the ocean on a cargo ship.
The price for this two-week transit from Saint-Nazaire to Baltimore currently is €3,200 (£2,800). This ship is more than a €60 million piece of great engineering devoted to cutting-edge sustainable transport. Its unique sails will reduce fuel use by almost half the average cargo vessel.
The Neoliner Origin’s unique design is a direct answer to an increased focus on environmental sustainability in the shipping industry. The wind-assisted propulsion system reduces the company’s carbon emissions by 90% and supports their commitment to sustainability. Plus, it provides a greener option than air freight, which has nearly 16 times the carbon footprint. This effort continues the city’s efforts on the world stage to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and transition to renewable energy.
“We want to do something real for the planet by not burning any fuel oil into the atmosphere to carry goods by sea – it’s the dream of my life,” said Michel Péry, one of the project’s key figures. This sentiment captures the essence of the Neoliner Origin’s mission: to reconcile economic viability with environmental responsibility.
The ship’s journey is about more than just moving freight. This is no small step — rather, it’s a huge leap forward to promote greener practices in global shipping. With fuel consumption data expected to be published in six months, stakeholders will gain insights into how effectively the Neoliner Origin meets its environmental goals. Bryan Comer highlights the potential benefits of wind-assisted propulsion: “There is an opportunity for wind-assisted propulsion to reduce fuel consumption and costs, which is useful because renewable hydrogen will be three to four times more expensive than fossil fuels.”
As the Neoliner Origin sails across the Atlantic, it demonstrates the feasibility of integrating traditional sailing technology with modern shipping needs. The ecological nature of the vessel’s design will further inform upcoming projects looking to improve the sustainability of logistics and transportation by land or sea.