Adoption of wind-assisted maritime cargo transport

The maritime logistics industry is increasingly adopting wind-assisted and wind-powered technologies to reduce carbon emissions.

In one initiative, DHL partnered with the French startup VELA to utilize 67-meter trimarans for Atlantic cargo transport. These vessels, constructed from aluminum and carbon fiber, aim to rely entirely on wind for propulsion, potentially cutting greenhouse gas emissions by up to 99 percent compared to air freight. The service, targeted at high-value goods like pharmaceuticals and wine, is expected to begin commercial operations in 2027.

Other shipping firms are also deploying hybrid and wind-assisted vessels for different routes. German firm Leonhardt and Blumberg acquired the Hansa Drejoe, a multi-purpose vessel featuring Econowind foil-type propulsion units designed for European shortsea routes. Additionally, Baltic Shipping Company A/S has introduced the M/V Baltic Iron and M/V Baltic Timber, hybrid coasters that combine battery packs with Econowind VentoFoils to reduce fuel consumption by up to 12 percent.