World’s Largest Sailing Cargo Ship Completes 1st Crossing Across Atlantic

Anemos, the world’s largest sailing cargo ship, successfully completed its maiden voyage across the Atlantic Ocean.

The 266-foot vessel, operated by French company TransOceanic Wind Transport (TOWT), departed France in early August and delivered 1,000 tonnes of cognac and champagne to New York City. Its carbon footprint was one-tenth that of traditional container ships.

The Anemos, equipped with automated cloth sails controlled by computer simulations, show the combination of ancient sailing methods and modern technology.

The vessel can move one tonne of goods across a kilometer while emitting less than 2 grams of carbon dioxide, compared to conventional container ships, which release 20 grams per kilometer.

The ship also has two diesel-electric engines for backup, but its main propulsion source is wind.

The journey is the first time in nearly a century that a large cargo ship has crossed the Atlantic mainly powered by wind.

TOWT, the French startup behind Anemos, believes that sailing cargo ships could be an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional container ships powered by fossil fuels.

The company intends to increase its fleet to eight vessels, transporting up to 200,000 tonnes of goods every year while saving an estimated 40,000 tonnes of carbon emissions.

However, challenges still exist in determining the full benefits of wind propulsion. A Lloyd’s Register assessment highlights concerns about fuel savings and the hidden expenses of wind-powered ships. Despite these challenges, TOWT remains optimistic.

According to TOWT CEO Guillaume Le Grand, advances in meteorological models, satellite communications, and routing technologies have made wind a predictable and reliable source of propulsion for ships.

The Anemos differs from ordinary sailing ships in several ways. It is inspired by racing sailboats and features lightweight carbon fiber masts, allowing for a taller superstructure and larger sails that capture more wind.

The ship’s sails are deployed using a mechanical system, which allows a single person to remotely operate the entire rigging. The vessel, which is slightly bigger than the historic British clipper Cutty Sark, has only seven crew members, compared to the Cutty Sark’s 48 crew.

Custom routing software improves the usage of wind for propulsion. Although the ship had to use its backup diesel-electric engines at the start of its voyage due to a missed weather window, the final ten days were powered entirely by wind.

According to Le Grand, the ship relies only on its sails almost 95% of the time.

Despite slightly higher transportation costs than usual container ships, TOWT provides long-term contracts with stable pricing, avoiding the volatility associated with diesel and fuel oil.

The initial customers, who are willing to pay a premium for the eco-friendly alternative, recognize the environmental benefits and marketing opportunities.

While many in the maritime industry are considering alternate fuels to reduce carbon emissions, TOWT believes wind power provides a more immediate and practical solution.

Reference: Supplychain247, FastCompany

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