The Neoliner Origin, the largest cargo ship to rely on wind power for propulsion, is scheduled to arrive on the afternoon of Saturday, October 24th, in the port of St. Pierre, the capital of the French island of St. Pierre & Miquelon, at the entrance to the Gulf of St. Lawrence. The sails are made by OneSails and Flexon Composites, leading Italian companies in the design and production of high-performance, fully recyclable sails.
Neoliner Origin at sea. © RMK Marine
Pollutingly Crossing the Atlantic Round Trip
The 140-meter-long Neoliner Origin, built by the Turkish shipyard RMK (the first steel is to be laid in November 2023) and delivered to its owner last September, departed from the French port of Saint-Nazaire on October 16th and is preparing to complete its first sailing Atlantic crossing in just over eight days. St. Pierre is the first stop on a journey of approximately 3,300 miles that will then take it to the port of Halifax, Canada, and finally Baltimore, Maryland, USA. From Baltimore, Neoliner Origin will then sail to St. Pierre and return to France, opening a new and sustainable connection between Europe and North America.
The Neoliner Origin trade route.
OneSails’ 4T FORTE jibs
The Neoliner Origin, with its sails made with 4T FORTE technology, developed and produced entirely in Italy by Flexon Composites exclusively for OneSails, represents one of the most advanced initiatives for the decarbonization of international maritime transport, which is currently responsible for 7% of global oil consumption and 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions. And forecasts indicate that emissions could reach 17% by 2050. Faced with the scarcity of alternative fuels, wind propulsion is emerging as an immediately available, clean, and renewable solution, and the Neoliner Origin, with its sails made by OneSails, is proof of this.
The two Neoliner Origin masts with rigid wings and 4T FORTE jibs by OneSails. © OneSails.
3,000 square meters of sails for 80% fewer emissions
The Neoliner Origin, a unique combination of advanced technical solutions, is rigged with two 90-meter-tall carbon masts that can be tilted, increasing their height to 41.5 meters to pass under bridges. The two masts are equipped with 1,050-square-meter rigid wings and OneSails jibs made of 4T FORTE, produced using low-CO₂ emission materials and technologies. The OneSails jibs, each measuring 450 square meters, are 100% recyclable. Designed and manufactured in Italy, they complete the sail plan, making a crucial contribution to thrust and aerodynamic balance. The Neoliner Origin’s total sail area reaches 3,000 square meters, and the combination of operational efficiency and innovative technologies allows for a reduction of up to 80% in fuel consumption and emissions.
Neoliner Origin with its masts tilted to pass under bridges. © Neoline/Mauric
Not just cargo on the sail-powered cargo ship
The Neoliner Origin (technically a Ro-Ro cargo ship) has a 1,200-meter cargo deck; it can carry 265 TEUs (a 20-foot container equals 1 TEU, ed.) and up to 5,300 tons of cargo. In addition to its sails, the ship is equipped with a 3,300 + 900 kW diesel-electric hybrid propulsion system, for use during maneuvers and during periods of navigation that cannot be covered under sail. Finally, for those wishing to experience a sustainable Atlantic crossing, six double cabins are available, all with private balconies, and passengers have access to a lounge, a terrace on the sun deck, and a fully equipped gym.
Emilio Martinelli
