TOWT christens first sailing cargo vessel, lays keel for the third ship

French sailing freight transport company TransOceanic Wind Transport (TOWT) has achieved milestones in the construction of its sailing cargo ships with a christening ceremony for the first vessel, Anemos, and a keel-laying ceremony for the third ship in this series, Atlantis.

As disclosed, the keel-laying ceremony for the third unit took place at Piriou Vietnam shipyard in Ho Chi Minh City on October 31, 2024. Meanwhile, at the beginning of this week, the company also christened its first sailing cargo ship, Anemos, in Le Havre, France. The ship began its maiden voyage in August this year.

Ordered in 2022, Anemos is the first of eight ships ordered by TOWT. The ship bears the same characteristics as its sister vessels, TOWT’s second sailing cargo vessel, Artemis, which was delivered this August, and the third unit, Atlantis.

The 81-meter-long vessels have a capacity of 1,100 tons and are designed to operate at sea for 320 days each year. They feature a hybrid power system, utilizing one or two engines that can function at varying power levels. Wind will serve as the primary power source, supported by a sail rigging spread across two masts.

Additionally, the vessels will be equipped with two turbocharged four-stroke marine diesel engines.

This design and the equipment were used with the aim of complying with international regulations for cargo vessels, specifically those pertaining to vessels with a gross register tonnage exceeding 500 UMS.

According to TOWT, the ships are projected to achieve over a 95% reduction in CO2 emissions compared to traditional fossil-fuel-powered containerships.

With a fleet of eight vessels, the French shipowner estimates it will help save approximately 40,000 tonnes of CO2 while transporting around 200,000 tonnes of goods.

In April this year, TOWT made the strategic decision to expand its fleet by ordering six additional vessels from Piriou. This move underscores its commitment to enhancing its sustainable shipping capabilities. The newbuilds are scheduled for delivery in 2026 and 2027.

With these new vessels, TOWT aims to reduce its carbon footprint further and increase its capacity for transporting goods sustainably, aligning with global efforts to combat climate change.