Wind propulsion gains shipping ground

CEVA Logistics has announced the addition of wind-powered maritime services to its FORPLANET suite of low-carbon and circular economy solutions, expanding sustainable shipping options across transatlantic routes linking Europe, North America, South America and the French West Indies.

“With environmental challenges greater than ever, it is our responsibility as a logistics provider to promote innovative solutions and integrate transport options into our offering that contribute to the decarbonisation of our customers’ supply chains,” said Benoît Tinetti, global CSR director, CEVA Logistics.

“These new wind-powered maritime transport services are part of our commitment to net zero by 2050 and illustrate our ongoing commitment to ‘Acting for the Planet’, one of the three pillars of our CSR strategy.”

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The company will offer less-than-container load, full container load and palletised cargo capacity aboard wind-powered vessels, including options for temperature-controlled freight, hazardous goods and oversized cargo. Transit times range from 10 to 18 days, depending on destination.

Available routes include Fécamp–New York, Saint-Nazaire–Halifax–Baltimore, Fécamp–Pointe-à-Pitre and Fécamp–São Sebastião. CEVA said services are operated in partnership with specialist wind-powered carriers and can be booked on spot or scheduled sailings.

As pressure mounts on maritime transport to decarbonise, wind propulsion technologies are demonstrating emissions reductions of up to 90% compared to conventional vessels, depending on configuration. New vessel designs optimised around wind energy are also enabling calls at secondary ports, reducing congestion and shortening last-mile transport distances.

The move underscores how wind, one of shipping’s oldest power sources, is re-emerging as a viable tool in the industry’s energy transition.