The world’s largest sailing cargo ship, *Anemos*, has successfully completed its maiden voyage across the Atlantic Ocean. The 266-foot vessel, commissioned by French company TOWT, departed France in early August, carrying 1,000 tonnes of cognac and champagne to New York City. This eco-friendly voyage represents a major step forward in sustainable shipping, with *Anemos* boasting a carbon footprint just one-tenth that of a traditional container ship.
“For centuries, we knew wind was abundant over the deep sea,” explains Guillaume Le Grand, CEO of TOWT. “But now, thanks to satellite communication and routing technology, wind is also predictable, making it a reliable source of propulsion.” This blend of ancient techniques and modern technology is at the heart of *Anemos*’ design.
Equipped with automated cloth sails and guided by computer simulations, *Anemos* uses wind power as its primary source of propulsion. It can transport 1 tonne of cargo over a kilometer while emitting less than 2 grams of carbon dioxide—a stark contrast to the 20 grams per kilometer produced by conventional container ships. To ensure reliability, the ship also has two diesel-electric engines as a backup, though its wind-powered system remains the focus of its sustainability efforts.
*Anemos* is the first of a planned fleet of eight vessels, all aiming to revolutionize the shipping industry by reducing its carbon footprint.
While the potential of wind-assisted propulsion in shipping is clear, quantifying its exact benefits remains a challenge. A recent report from U.K.-based maritime services company Lloyd’s Register highlighted uncertainties in validating fuel savings and hidden costs in engineering and operations. Despite these hurdles, the shift toward wind-powered cargo ships could play a significant role in helping the industry achieve its net-zero emissions goals.
Gavin Allwright, secretary-general of the International Windship Association, believes that vessels like *Anemos* represent the future of maritime transport. “The development of sailing cargo vessels is an important step toward decarbonizing the shipping industry,” he says.
With this maiden voyage, *Anemos* has demonstrated the power of wind propulsion, signaling a promising shift towards a more sustainable future for global shipping.