SEALOGIS, a subsidiary of logistics company Geodis, has become shipping agent for a new company specialising in the design of sail-powered cargo ships.
Geodis signed a partnership agreement with French start-up company Zéphyr & Borée with the goal of reducing maritime emissions.
Zéphyr & Borée chose Sealogis as its shipping agent for France.
Under an agreement with the French freight transport users’ association, Zéphyr & Borée plan to launch a container shipping service operating trans-Atlantic routes, commencing in 2025.
The wind-powered vessels are to operate a weekly service between Antwerp and the east coast of the United States, along with an equivalent service sailing from Mediterranean ports.
The company believes the project will make it possible to halve carbon emissions and achieve a transit time competitive with that of traditional cargo ships.
Eric Martin Neuville, Geodis’ executive vice president Global freight Forwarding, said the company’s commitment to Zéphyr & Borée aligns with its goal to decarbonise maritime transport.
“Transporting freight via wind-powered cargo ships is an innovative project that Geodis will propose to its customers to support them in their sustainable performance,” he said.
And Zéphyr & Borée managing director Amaury Bolvin said achieving an energy transition in maritime transport will require the use of wind propulsion, as it did in the past.
“The launch of this trans-Atlantic sailing line will demonstrate this, and we believe that it will be the start of a major transition,” he said.
“We are pleased to be working on this project with Sealogis and Geodis, who have been partners of Zephyr & Borée from the outset.”
As an agent, Sealogis’ responsibilities will include presenting, promoting and marketing Zéphyr & Borée’s services to shippers and forwarders.
Sealogis intends to ensure low-carbon land-based transport options are proposed whenever possible for all pre-carriage and post-carriage transportation associated with the Zéphyr & Borée maritime service.
