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It’s kind of funny how this happens, but a year ago or so I conducted a brief interview about a cargo vessel crossing the Atlantic Ocean usingmostly wind power. Modern container ships do not use mostly wind power, so such a crossing and the wind-powered vessel are both newsworthy and important for sustainability. Container ships carrying cargo across oceans generate massive amounts of toxic air pollution that is harmful to the planet and human health. (Cruise ships do as well.)
A reader comment on …
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It’s kind of funny how this happens, but a year ago or so I conducted a brief interview about a cargo vessel crossing the Atlantic Ocean usingmostly wind power. Modern container ships do not use mostly wind power, so such a crossing and the wind-powered vessel are both newsworthy and important for sustainability. Container ships carrying cargo across oceans generate massive amounts of toxic air pollution that is harmful to the planet and human health. (Cruise ships do as well.)
A reader comment on my interview about the mostly wind-powered vessel, if I recall correctly, was about how a trimaran might be more energy efficient and more stable. In fact, someone reached out to me recently about exactly this type of vessel for transoceanic shipping. Takeda and VELA announced their partnership to launch a custom-built trimaran starting in 2026. When at sea, it will only use wind power.
Michael Fernandez-Ferri, Co-founder ofVELA, answered some questions forCleanTechnica.
What are the dimensions of the trimaran and how much cargo can it transport?
Measures of trimaran: 220 feet (65 meters) long, 82 feet (25 meters) in beam, and with two 171-foot (52,2-meter) high masts.
Capacity – 600 EUR pallets or 500 US pallets onboard per vessel.
How long does it take to sail from France to the eastern United States?
The typical total lead time — incorporating loading, the full ocean crossing, and unloading — is less than 15 days. VELA is designed to outperform traditional maritime shipping both in speed and environmental responsibility, offering two to four times the velocity of conventional cargo vessels on this route by taking advantage of less congested secondary harbors and faster stevedoring.
Image Credit: VELA
What will the trimaran transport?
The vessel is equipped to carry high-value, temperature-sensitive, and specialized products, including pharmaceuticals, medical devices, luxury goods, industrial parts, wine and spirits. Thanks to CoolSafe by VELA — its GDP (Good Distribution Practice) compliant, temperature-controlled, renewable-energy-powered refrigeration system — the integrity and quality required for cold chain and premium logistics are fully assured for every shipment.
How many crew will be used on the vessel and what is the average sailing speed?
Each trimaran will be operated by a skilled maritime crew of 8 seafarers, sailing under the French flag to guarantee high social standards. The average transatlantic speed is 14 knots, consistent with modern container ships, but achieved solely using wind power for propulsion.
Is the trimaran’s propulsion only wind power or does it also have electric motors?
The VELA trimaran is 100% wind-propelled for the transatlantic crossing. The onboard hydraulic engines are reserved only for maneuvers, eliminating fossil fuels from standard operations and drastically reducing emissions. Indeed, hydraulic power is primarily produced by renewable energies including batteries (shorepower), roof-mounted solar panels and underwater hydrogenerators.
How much solar power does it have and what is it used for onboard?
VELA has over 240 square meters (more than 3,230 square feet) of integrated photovoltaic panels. The renewable electricity generated primarily powers so-called “hotel loads” including CoolSafe refrigeration, onboard systems, propulsion for maneuvering and crew amenities. This further reduces the vessel’s overall environmental footprint.
How do the hydro generators work and how much output do they have?
Two hydro-generators are installed beneath the hull. As the trimaran sails with enough wind speed, these systems are trimmed into the water and convert the movement of water into green electricity to supply additional onboard power, complementing solar energy and allowing stable renewable performance regardless of weather conditions.
What is the hull and deck made of?
VELA’s hull and deck utilize aluminum — selected for maximum durability, recyclability, safety, and efficiency, while ensuring structural strength and lightweight construction for improved energy performance throughout each voyage and over the entire lifecycle of the vessel.
How much less emissions will the trimaran produce compared to a modern container ship?
VELA enables a reduction of up to 99% in use-related greenhouse gas emissions compared to air freight, and up to 90% less than conventional container ships. Residual emissions relate only to maneuvers, making this one of the world’s most low-impact shipping solutions.
How many ocean trips will the trimaran be able to make in one year?
The VELA fleet is designed to operate at a frequency of one departure per week, translating from 8 to 12 round-trips per vessel per year in the initial deployment. Fleet expansion from one vessel in 2026 to five by 2028 will enable weekly roundtrips, scaling capacity to meet growing demand for decarbonized transatlantic transport.
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