The ship is expected to enter service in May 2027 and will operate between Madagascar and France.
According to RMK Marine, the vessel will feature an open hatch box design and measure 91.3 meters in length. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2026.
The ship will be equipped with three asymmetrical wing sails, each measuring 350 square meters, developed by French manufacturer Computed Wing Sail (CWS). These sails are expected to cut carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 60% compared to conventional cargo ships.
Windcoop has estimated the total cost of the project at €28.5 million (approximately $31.3 million). Of this, €6.8 million has already been raised through equity, while the rest will be financed through loans and guarantees from French banks. The company also revealed that the design process for a second vessel is underway, with plans to expand its shipping network.
France continues to lead in the development of wind-assisted shipping technologies. Earlier, TransOceanic Wind Transport (TOWT) christened its first sailing cargo ship Anemos and laid the keel for its third vessel Atlantis. The second ship in the series, Artemis, was delivered in December 2024.
In a related development, RMK Marine also launched the Neoliner Origin at the end of January 2025. Built for French operator Neoline, the 136-meter-long vessel is described as the world’s first commercial sailing RoRo ship. Construction began in November 2023, and the vessel is expected to be fully operational by summer 2025.
These developments highlight the growing interest in wind propulsion among French shipping companies as they seek to reduce emissions and meet sustainability targets.
