Manitou to transport equipment to US via sailing ship
The Manitou group plans to transport more than 1,000 machines by sailing ships from Europe to the US in 2019 via the Neoline maritime project.
The NEOLINE ro-ro cargo project, powered mainly by sails, plans to use 100% clean, free, and renewable energy: the wind. By showing its support for this economical and responsible solution, the Manitou Group is continuing its innovative approach and objective of reducing its environmental impact.
With 80% of its revenues earned internationally, the new shipping solution will optimise the dynamics of its international transport flows: efficiently distributing all of its machines and components around the world more efficiently with less environmental impact.
Augustin Merle, Transport and Logistics Manager at the Manitou group, said: “It is essential for the Manitou group we have access to transport solutions that are both efficient and responsible. NEOLINE’s proposal is a perfect fit for our operational needs. It is also viable in terms of energy consumption, saving an estimated more than 4,000 tons (Ademe database on the consumption of ro-ro cargo ships of 0.103 kgCO2/ton.km) of CO2 per year. With this service, we will maintain similar delivery times, while optimising pre-routing.”
NEOLINE is developing a highly-fuel efficient transatlantic transport line, thanks to innovative sailing vessels that will specialize in rolling and oversized goods. With start-up expected in 2021, this line will connect St-Nazaire with the American east coast and Saint-Pierre & Miquelon.
NEOLINE is developing industrial-scale sailing freight services that are clean, customized, and competitive and meet the logistical needs of shippers. Led by a team of maritime professionals, this shipowner project is making it possible to design vessels capable of reducing up to 90% of CO2 emissions, compared to traditional cargo on an equivalent route.
The NEOLINE vessel will use primary wind propulsion, in conjunction with economical speed and optimisation of the energy mix. This 136m long ro-ro vessel with 4,200m² of sails combines technical maritime transport solutions with solutions from sport sailing in an innovative way.
This type of transport is efficient both logistically and economically, with exemplary energy savings. The development plan expects to build two ships of this model, with a commissioning goal of 2021. * Founded in 2015 by a group of maritime professionals convinced of the necessary evolution of shipping towards more responsible maritime transport, NEOLINE aims to become the first shipowner to focus on energy efficiency, based on a main propulsion system under sail.
Visit: www.neoline.eu and www.manitou-group.com
