Construction kicks off on VELA’s first wind-powered cargo trimaran

French shipowner VELA has revealed that construction of the company’s first wind-powered cargo trimaran started at Austal shipyard in Australia.

As disclosed, this vessel, the result of our partnership with VPLP and MerConcept, embodies the firm’s vision of maritime transport that combines performance and environmental responsibility. Powered entirely by wind, this 67-meter aluminum trimaran will be able to carry approximately 600 pallets, to ensure a massive reduction in the carbon footprint of transportation.

Departing from the conventional single-hulled approach, and inspired by the modern technologies used for ocean racing, VELA’s sailing cargo vessel will have three hulls and is anticipated to be launched in 2025, while the delivery is scheduled for mid-2026.

The company noted that 30% of the construction of the vessel — including the masts, sails, hydrogenerators, propellers, electrical systems, and solar panels — will be carried out by French companies to support the national sail-based shipping industry.

To remind, VELA unveiled the design of this cargo ship that will allow the company to transport goods across the Atlantic Ocean using 100% wind power in June 2023.

In line with this, the French firm recently raised a significant funding round of €40 million ($43 million). The round was led by Crédit Mutuel Impact, 11th Hour Racing & BPI – French Public Investment Bank. The financing is said to allow VELA to take a significant new step in the development of its first wind-powered vessel and strengthen its sales and operations teams in France and the United States.

“This major fundraising marks a key step in VELA’s development. We are proud to have brought together such a high-quality panel of Franco-American partners who share our ambition to make transport more sustainable, underlining the importance of our transatlantic vision,” said Michael Fernandez-Ferri, Managing Director and Chairman of VELA. 

“Together, we are entering a new era where capital serves the green revolution. This sailing cargo trimaran symbolizes our vision of a world combining innovation, sustainability, and humanity.”

By adopting the innovative trimaran concept for its cargo ship, VELA hopes to meet several criteria for reducing the environmental impact of maritime transport. In the future, the company plans to introduce at least four more ships which are scheduled to arrive by 2027-2028.