Austal to build wind-powered cargo trimaran that will ditch diesel on trans Atlantic routes

Western Australian shipbuilder Austal has been awarded a contract to design and construct a wind-powered aluminium cargo trimaran by the French designer Vela Transport.

Founded in 2022, Vela Transport, founded in 2022, plans to operate cargo ships for maritime transport that are 100 per cent sail powered.

The first-of-class aluminium cargo trimaran will measure 66.8 metres in length and is based on a design unveiled by Vela Transport in mid-2023. It expects the first vessel to make its maiden voyage in mid-2025 sailing the transatlantic route between Europe and the United States.

While sail propulsion may seem a technological step backwards, Vela expects its fleet of wind powered trimarans will offer a legitimate alternative to conventional ships, one with a decarbonation rate up to 99% for propulsion and which exerts a much reduced toll on the local environment.

According to Vela, the speed of their vessels, combined with its weather routing solutions and unloading/loading process, will actually deliver a faster crossing from harbour to harbour on the France to New York seaway, averaging between 10 and 15 days.

The smaller size of the vessels will also allow them to access harbours that are unable to accommodate larger cargo transport ships, further reducing costs and CO2 emissions for the first- and last-mile operations in supply chains.

And while each vessel is able to carry the cargo equivalent of only 51 TEU containers per trip – compared to the thousands that can be carried by traditional vessels – the ability to deliver to strategically located harbours at speed with lower costs and CO2 emissions means individual companies can cut out the need for traditional shipping.

Austal, an Australian shipbuilder and global defence contractor, was selected to build the trimarans after a global tender process lasting over nine months, according to Vela Transport chief operating officer Pascal Galacteros.

Austal won due to its “globally recognised expertise in multi-hulls and aluminium shipbuilding, and integrating the wind sailing expertise from our partners, VPLP and MerConcept.”

“Austal is delighted to be partnering with Vela to deliver this unique, sailing cargo trimaran – a striking looking vessel that will transport high-value goods across the Atlantic Ocean using 100 per cent wind power,” said Paddy Gregg, CEO of Austal Limited.

“Austal’s proven experience in trimaran design offers Vela a large cargo space and greater flexibility while delivering superior seakeeping, efficiency, and performance. The shallow draft of the trimaran also allows greater access to secondary ports, facilitating access to Vela’s customers’ factories and warehouses.

“The use of sails for main propulsion, rather than conventional diesel-powered engines, is also expected to deliver a 99 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, compared with conventional container ships.”