TransOceanic Wind Transport (TOWT), a French sailing freight transport company, is making strides in sustainable shipping with the recent christening of its first cargo ship, Anemos, and the keel-laying of its third vessel, Atlantis. The keel-laying ceremony for Atlantis took place on October 31, 2024, at Piriou Vietnam shipyard in Ho Chi Minh City, while Anemos was launched in Le Havre, France, earlier this week and began its maiden voyage in August.
Ordered in 2022, Anemos is the first of eight ships planned by TOWT. These 81-meter vessels can carry 1,100 tons and are designed for 320 days of operation at sea each year. They utilize a hybrid power system, with wind as the primary energy source supported by sail rigging across two masts and two turbocharged marine diesel engines.
TOWT aims for its fleet to achieve over a 95% reduction in CO2 emissions compared to conventional fossil-fuel-powered ships, with the overall goal of saving approximately 40,000 tonnes of CO2 while transporting around 200,000 tonnes of goods.
Earlier this year, TOWT expanded its commitment to sustainable shipping by ordering six additional vessels from Piriou, scheduled for delivery in 2026 and 2027. With this initiative, TOWT seeks to further decrease its carbon footprint and enhance its sustainable transport capabilities, aligning with global climate change efforts.