TOWT: First sailing cargo ship begins transatlantic journey

Anemos, the first sailing cargo ship ordered by French sailing freight transport company TransOceanic Wind Transport (TOWT), has embarked on its maiden voyage.

Earlier this month, the 81-meter-long newbuilding set sail from Concarneau, Southern Brittany, France and is en route to New York.

Built by Piriou, Anemos recently completed its sea trials after over two years of construction.

It visited Haropa Port (the vessel’s homeport) in Le Havre Seine Métropole for loading — the ship’s very first commercial stopover.

On its journey, the cargo vessel will, apart from New York, also visit Santa Marta, Vitoria, and Quebec.

Anemos has been described as “the world’s largest” sailing cargo ship in modern history, using advanced sailing technology derived from ocean racing to decarbonize shipping.

Ordered in 2022, Anemos is the first of eight sisterships ordered by TOWT. It will be followed soon by Artemis, the second identical unit which is being built in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

In April this year, TOWT decided to order six additional vessels from Piriou. The newbuilds are planned to debut in 2026 and 2027.

The construction of the Phoenix class sailboats is expected to result in a more than 95% reduction in CO2 emissions compared to fossil-powered containerships. With eight ships, TOWT said it will contribute to saving around 40,000 tonnes of CO2 by transporting around 200,000 tonnes of goods.