It’s been heralded as a new era of sustainable transatlantic trade. Neoliner Origin, a modern sailing Ro-Ro cargo vessel, built for French operator Neoline, has begun revenue service. The 136-metre ship, constructed by RMK Marine in Turkey, will operate regular freight services between Saint-Nazaire and ports in North America, using the wind as its principal source of propulsion.
Already, Neoliner Origin has completed a successful maiden voyage to Baltimore, carrying a mix of rolling cargo and oversized freight, demonstrating the vessel’s operational readiness and the practicality of wind-powered transatlantic shipping. The ship’s launch introduces a first-of-its-kind, industrial-scale service that combines environmental innovation with standard commercial logistics capacities.
Efficiency and reliability
The Neoliner Origin inaugurates Neoline’s pilot transatlantic route, connecting Saint-Nazaire with St-Pierre & Miquelon, Halifax, and Baltimore on a monthly rotation. The service offers transit times of eight days to St-Pierre & Miquelon, 18 days to Halifax, and 13 days to Baltimore, with return voyages taking between 10 and 15 days depending on port sequence.
Neoline says the service is the first industrial-scale wind-powered Ro-Ro line, designed to carry both rolling cargo and oversized freight while adhering to international logistics standards. The ship’s commercial speed of around 11 knots balances efficiency and reliability while cutting fuel consumption by more than 80 per cent compared to a conventional 15-knot motor vessel, claims the company.
Wind at the heart of propulsion
Designed by French naval architects Mauric, Neoliner Origin features two Solidsail rigs developed by Chantiers de l’Atlantique and retractable anti-drift plans engineered by Fouré Lagadec. The vessel’s primary propulsion comes from its sail system, supplemented by a diesel-electric auxiliary drive for port manoeuvres and adverse weather. Mauric said the project represents a significant step in validating and refining digital models for wind-assisted cargo ship design. Data gathered during the ship’s first voyages will inform future improvements, with the goal of optimising performance, manoeuvrability, and crew efficiency while reducing environmental impact.
Sail power is resurgent around the world. For example, the project follows in the wake of the UK-developed FastRig and FastRoute technology, being deployed by Smart Green Shipping. SGS has successfully completed sea trials around the west coast of Great Britain for its wind-assisted propulsion system, FastRig, and its performance modelling tool, FastRoute. The trials demonstrated the system’s viability in real-world conditions, validating both its technical capabilities and operational advantages. However, Neoline’s Transatlantic venture is something of a step up in deployed ambition.
Built for energy efficiency and versatility
Underlining its ocean-going credentials, Marine said energy efficiency was a defining priority throughout the build process. The vessel has been designed for flexible Ro-Ro handling, with secure horizontal loading and weatherproof garages accommodating a variety of cargo types—from cars and palletised goods to outsized parcels up to 9.8 metres high and 200 tonnes. The 12-metre-wide loading ramp leads to three main decks offering a combined 3,500m² of loading space.
Containers can be rolled aboard using Neoline-supplied trailers, each capable of carrying up to two 40-foot or four 20-foot boxes. Standard dry and high-cube containers are accepted, with options to include container supply in the transport service.
A statement of intent for green logistics
Beyond its freight credentials, Neoliner Origin is intended as a proof-of-concept for decarbonised deep-sea shipping. By relying primarily on wind, Neoline estimates annual fuel savings exceeding 80 per cent, cutting CO₂ emissions by a similar margin. The project has attracted strong interest from shippers seeking to decarbonise transatlantic supply chains, particularly in automotive, luxury goods, and high-value industrial sectors.
Passenger and crew comfort were also considerations. RMK Marine said the six twin-occupancy passenger cabins feature balconies with transparent panels, allowing clear views of the sea while maintaining maritime safety standards. If successful, Neoline plans to expand the service and fleet, reinforcing France’s ambition to lead the world in maritime decarbonisation through innovation, design, and a renewed relationship with the wind.